First described in 1758 by Carolus Linnaeus, the eastern screech owl (who's color morph can be either gray, red, or brown) is one of our smaller owls, standing only 7.5”-10” tall.  But he is a feisty little nocturnal fellow!  While they will hunt ground prey from a perch, they are not one to “just sit around. Flying on whisper silent wings, they will hunt flying insects “on the wing”.  The Eastern Screech Owl has a wide and varied diet.  Prey typically consists of large insects (beetles, moths, crickets, etc) and mice, but they are also known to take rats, chipmunks, squirrels, shrews, moles, bats, lizards, frogs, spiders, earthworms, crayfish, etc.  Even some songbirds.

As with other owl species, the screech owl does not build its own nest.  Mating for life, they utilize natural tree holes or appropriate old woodpecker cavities for rearing young.  And despite their name, their calls are whinnies and soft trills.

This little owl has flown off to two shows: the 2007 National Greeley Art Show, in Greeley, Colorado;
plus the 2012 American Women Artists annual Member Show in Tucson, Arizona!

This life size bronze was created from a tupelo decorative wood carving.