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Screech Owl Notecard

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Back of Card DESCRIPTION

Screech Owl (Otus asio)

The Screech Owl is a small owl with ear tufts and camouflage coloring; color varies from grey to brown to rust. This owl ranges throughout much of North America into central Mexico, preferring woodlands and farm groves. Despite their small size, screech owls are fierce and have no problem dispatching creatures as large as rats or ruffed grouse; they commonly eat mice and large insects.

Owls have the ablility to fly silently. There is a fringe on the front edge of their wings which keeps their flight silent. The also have large wings compared to their body size which enables them to fly slowly and smoothly.

Screech owls incubate each egg as it is laid in sequence. Thus the young within the brood vary widely in age and size. This tactic allows the owls to raise all their young if food is plentiful, or just the first few if food is scarce.

Owls embody wisdom, magic, and vision. As nocturnal birds, screech owls help to unlock the secrets of the night. With their keen eyesight and hearing owls can pinpoint prey even on the darkest of nights. Those with owl medicine are said to be able to detect subtleties, able to hear what is not being said.

Artwork by Susan Bull Riley © 2013

Text by Steve Sierigk