screech owl phases (1 Viewer)

[Gary Polliard]

I have screech owls taking up residence in a nesting box. This morning I am looking at the grey phase of the owl and yesterday the red or rufous phase was looking out at me. Is this possible that the two colors would breed or is one male and other female, which of course is most likely. When is their breeding season. Tried to find info in books I have but no luck.

 

[Russ Jones]

I have screech owls taking up residence in a nesting box. This morning I am looking at the grey phase of the owl and yesterday the red or rufous phase was looking out at me. Is this possible that the two colors would breed or is one male and other female, which of course is most likely. When is their breeding season. Tried to find info in books I have but no luck.

They can and do breed with members displaying the other colour phase, it make no difference to the owls which colour they are. There is also an intermediate phase. Also, it is common to have both phases hatch from a single clutch.

Here's a pair I photographed and later drew at a local nature reserve in Southern Ontario, Canada.

Russ