Hi Rich,
I've been keeping notes on Eastern Screech Owls in my yard for over 20
years.
If you only have one box, the pair will roost together during the day until
it gets too crowded because the young are growing. Then the male will
start roosting on a tree branch nearby.
If you put out 2 boxes near each other, the male will probably roost in the
nearby box until the weather warms up enough for him to roost on a tree
branch nearby.
The male keeps watch over the box with his mate and owlets in it. So if
you can put out 2 boxes, you'll find it easier to get to see him. He will
roost in the entrance hole of his box which means you don't have to try to
discern him in a tree. Distance apart is less important than that the boxes
are within sight of each other.
I highly recommend that people put out 2 boxes so you can more easily see
the owls and so the male has a place of his own!
I'm curious: Why are you asking this particular question?
Thanks!
Sincerely,
Marlene
Marlene A. Condon
Author/Photographer, The Nature-friendly Garden: Creating A Backyard Haven
for Plants, Wildlife, and People (Stackpole Books)
Naturalist and Writer/Photographer/Speaker
Crozet, VA 22932-2204
E-mail: MARLENECONDON@xxxxxxx
_www.MARLENECONDON.com_ (http://www.marlenecondon.com/)
In a message dated 3/4/2013 6:18:51 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
appleadayonsite@xxxxxxx writes:
Does anyone know if the male Screech Owl will roost in a separate
cavity (or away from the Female) when the female is on eggs? Have
done a limited search on Wikipedia and the Cornell site with no real
answer.
"The Google" has not led me to any concrete conclusions.
If anyone knows "for sure" an online answer could be educational for
everyone. Offline contacts to me are welcome.
Thanks
Rich Rieger
Alexandria
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