Hiding in Plain Sight: The Screech Owl's Day Roost

Eastern screech owls are small, common, and very rarely seen. Part of the reason is that they're active at night. The rest is in this photo: an owl sitting in plain view, at the entrance to its roost, almost completely lost against the tree.

Two colours of camouflage

Screech owls come in two main colour forms, grey and rufous (reddish-brown). Both are covered in fine streaks and bars that mimic the texture of bark. With its eyes narrowed and its ear tufts raised, a roosting owl breaks up its own outline even further, and a passing predator sees a knot in the wood, not a bird.

Cavity nesters

Screech owls don't build nests. They roost and breed in natural tree hollows and old woodpecker holes, and they'll readily use nest boxes too. On cool days, they often sit right at the entrance of the cavity to catch a little warmth, which is the best chance you'll get to see one.

Quiet and brief

A roosting owl is resting, not posing. Keep your distance, use a long lens, and move on after a few frames. If the owl opens its eyes wide or shifts position, it's aware of you and it's time to leave it in peace.