From Ronald Kotinsky
You’re looking at a Florida master of disguise - the Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio). The fact that you can even see it in this photo is half the lesson.
Screech-owls are one of Florida’s most common owls, yet most people go their entire lives without spotting one. The reason is right in front of you. Their cryptic bark-patterned plumage isn’t just pretty - it’s a survival system. When roosting during the day, they lengthen their body, compress their feathers, and tilt into the tree, becoming virtually indistinguishable from a broken branch stub.
They don’t hide in the tree. They become the tree.
So how do you find one?
Look for roost cavities - Screech-owls favor natural tree hollows and old woodpecker holes. Palms, oaks, and dead snags are prime real estate.
Check the entrance holes - On a sunny day, they often sit just inside a cavity with their head poking out, soaking up warmth.
Follow the mob - Songbirds like jays, chickadees, and mockingbirds will relentlessly mob a roosting owl. If you hear an explosion of agitated birds in one spot, go investigate.
Go at dusk - That’s when they become active. Listen for their distinctive descending whinny call - once you know it, you’ll start hearing them everywhere.
They do have distinctive sounds, but they don’t actually screech. They have more bouncing ball and horse whinny sounds.
If a screech is what you need, Barn Owl is the owl for the job!
Every night in May, a couple young long-eared owls would screech near where I live. I don’t need more screeching.
Pic
Edit: now that I know what screeching is, that was closer to squealing
I remember you got a nice view of them growing up! That would be so exciting.
They do have an owl kind of baby talk. Our one educational owl is a semi-imprint, and when he is being stressed or needy he will revert back to his owl baby talk, and it is very distinct from the big tough owl image he projects when he is all alone and secure in his aviary.