From Jen Marie

A baby screech owl hangs on tightly to a grapevine moments after taking its first flight and leaving the nest for good several summers ago.

Young screech owls gain flight and hunting skills slowly and spend a lot of time climbing instead of flying. They depend on their parents for food for 8-10 weeks after fledging. Both parents feed the youngsters at this stage, and adults, especially females, shelter together with the young in communal tree roosts. As the young gain skill, they gradually begin to roost and hunt apart from their parents and siblings.