Eastern Screech Owl

Eastern Screech Owl (red phase)
Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, Jupiter, Florida

This last December I went with our camera club to a wildlife sanctuary to photograph birds and other injured wildlife. The keepers were very nice and knowledgeable and gave us special access so that we could photograph some of the birds. Sadly, most of the wildlife at the sanctuary were there due to harm caused by humans, but thankfully there are places like this for them to go to help them recover or give them a comfortable home during the rest of their lifespan.

I photographed this little guy while he was standing on his perch, which is about six inches off the ground. I hunkered down in the sawdust and waited for him to finally turn his head around and open his eyes.

I used the dof to block out the strong vegetation in the background.

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Eastern Screech Owls have also been called the common screech Owl, Ghost Owl, Dusk Owl, Little-eared Owl, Spirit Owl, Little Dukelet, Texas Screech-Owl, whickering Owl, little gray Owl, mottled Owl, the red Owl, the mouse Owl, the cat Owl, the shivering Owl, and the little horned Owl.

Size:
Female
Average Length: 23cm (9.2")
Wingspan: 56cm (22")
Weight:208g (7.3oz)

Male
Average Length:21cm (8.2")
Wingspan:54 cm (21")
Weight:200 g (7oz)