Well a man learns something every day. I live in an area with both Screech and Saw-wet owls. My first box I put out is the deeper type and it had Screech in it for a very short time and it had Saw-wet in the end. I never understood why....now thanks to you I have a good idea why. If I didnt have a cedar swamp and a sawmill I would buy a few of your box's...I like your design.
No, Horned owls are no cavity nesters. They generally take over other raptor nests like hawks and eagles. I have seen platforms built with limited success. They should be placed high in a tree--over 40 ft.
Great information! Thanks. Loving my existing owl box and about ready to get it ready for this next season. The owls are already spending more time here or at least I'm seeing them more.
In my area we have great horned owls, western screech owls, barn owls, and possibly spotted owls. The great horned is the only one that I have heard in our garden (I'm impressed with the great horned's ability to survive in urban areas like this). Any recommendations for an owl box or two?
Absolutely the easiest and least expensive thing is to put up a screech owl box or two. Horned owls as rule don't use boxes. They are not cavity nesters but take over hawk nests and things of that sort. Spotted owl like barred owls can be hard to attract to a box and the box and installation can be quite expensive since the box is large and should go high in a tree-20ft+. If you are in a wooded area it is doubtful you have a barn owl unless there is a large field nearby
Is it possible to order a Screech owl box from you? I have a tall skinny box I get owls in every year. But after hearing your story, I'd like to replace it with a wider one with an offset hole.
You mentioned the boxes can be regional. What part of Texas are you in? I'm in Central Texas, in the Hill Country, West of Austin. I'm starting to notice owls hanging around, and I'd like to put a box up to keep them close by. We have had those horrible developers cutting down massive amounts of old growth oak trees around here. It's really hard to watch. And then there was what people are calling TreeMaggedon last February (2023) when thousands of tree limbs, and entire trees, broke from "the" ice storm. I'm betting that's what has brought the owls down to my neighborhood which has very large, old oaks, still thriving. Like I said, I really would like to keep the owls around! But I haven't been able to see them clear enough to ID the type. I only know they are on the small side, and I'm thinking they are brown. It's always so dark on the rare occasions I see them! And I don't want to be one of those humans who use the flash on my camera just so I can better see the owl! It's not a lot of info to go on! But probably Screech Owls? I'm just guessing. I don't have much experience with owls. I suppose the owl looking for a nesting site knows which box to choose that is best for them. I think that's so cool ! Now I'm wondering how many boxes can I put up in my small yard. It's only 100x100 feet. (But I have 7 very large, more than 200 year old oaks. Basically a shade covered lot with a house underneath the trees!) And I have 3 different places that are ideal for boxes. Except, 2 of those places might be too close together? The 2 trees are about 15 feet apart. But they both have a clear view of the Southern exposure. I don't know if the owls don't mind other owl neighbors so close by? Or perhaps they are territorial and would compete for space? Maybe I should only put up one box in my small space? I'll take a look at the Cornell site just in case you don't see this comment. But I'm asking you anyway, simply because I like to gather as much information as possible. And I did hear you speak of your experience, which I consider invaluable! Edit: Well, I should've waited to watch the entire video before asking my questions! You mentioned the Dallas/Ft.Worth metroplex, so I'll assume that's where you are. Good to know! I have family up there & I'm going to send them this video & push them to put up owl boxes too! They're gunna love me for THAT one! (Not) But they're used to it from me, I'm always pushing SOMETHING Nature related toward them! Thank You for all the great Owl Box info in this video! I've seen other videos, but yours has better information geared toward the species to which we should be building. And THAT'S what I've been looking for! It's very helpful to see a person with experience explaining these details who is in, or near, my region. Any tips on how I can better see the owls at night to get a better ID? I do not have a nature cam, wish I did tho...
I am in the Dallas area but the common owls in your area are the same as ours. Eastern Screech owls are the most common and likely what you are seeing--they are small. The barn owls are medium sized and generally will be around fields and grassy areas. The Barred owls are quite large and make the who-who who cooks for you call. The great horned owl is massive and won't be mistaken for anything else in the area. There is a tiny population of western Screech owls down there. They are very rare in that area but their behaviors mirror the Eastern, So,, yea this box would work for you as well--and it is ventilated for the hotter temps as well. Thanks--great question !
This was the first of your videos that I watched. I just got done watching all your other owl and bat videos. And now, ALL my questions have been answered!! So Thank You AGAIN for every video you've made with all the good information in them! ❤🦉♥️🦉♥️🦉♥️🦉♥️🦉♥️
Well a man learns something every day. I live in an area with both Screech and Saw-wet owls. My first box I put out is the deeper type and it had Screech in it for a very short time and it had Saw-wet in the end. I never understood why....now thanks to you I have a good idea why. If I didnt have a cedar swamp and a sawmill I would buy a few of your box's...I like your design.
Do you make boxes for great horned owls?
No, Horned owls are no cavity nesters. They generally take over other raptor nests like hawks and eagles. I have seen platforms built with limited success. They should be placed high in a tree--over 40 ft.
Great information! Thanks. Loving my existing owl box and about ready to get it ready for this next season. The owls are already spending more time here or at least I'm seeing them more.
In my area we have great horned owls, western screech owls, barn owls, and possibly spotted owls. The great horned is the only one that I have heard in our garden (I'm impressed with the great horned's ability to survive in urban areas like this). Any recommendations for an owl box or two?
Absolutely the easiest and least expensive thing is to put up a screech owl box or two. Horned owls as rule don't use boxes. They are not cavity nesters but take over hawk nests and things of that sort. Spotted owl like barred owls can be hard to attract to a box and the box and installation can be quite expensive since the box is large and should go high in a tree-20ft+. If you are in a wooded area it is doubtful you have a barn owl unless there is a large field nearby
great vodeo .. learned a bunch from you about owls and owl boxes. Dang ..750 boxes up by you ..... whew !!!
Is it possible to order a Screech owl box from you? I have a tall skinny box I get owls in every year. But after hearing your story, I'd like to replace it with a wider one with an offset hole.
Sure-email me at tacticalyakn@gmail.com
You mentioned the boxes can be regional.
What part of Texas are you in?
I'm in Central Texas,
in the Hill Country,
West of Austin.
I'm starting to notice owls hanging around, and I'd like to put a box up to keep them close by.
We have had those horrible developers cutting down massive amounts of old growth oak trees around here.
It's really hard to watch.
And then there was what people are calling TreeMaggedon last February (2023) when thousands of tree limbs, and entire trees, broke from "the" ice storm.
I'm betting that's what has brought the owls down to my neighborhood which has very large, old oaks, still thriving.
Like I said, I really would like to keep the owls around!
But I haven't been able to see them clear enough to ID the type.
I only know they are on the small side, and I'm thinking they are brown. It's always so dark on the rare occasions I see them!
And I don't want to be one of those humans who use the flash on my camera just so I can better see the owl!
It's not a lot of info to go on!
But probably Screech Owls?
I'm just guessing.
I don't have much experience with owls.
I suppose the owl looking for a nesting site knows which box to choose that is best for them.
I think that's so cool !
Now I'm wondering how many boxes can I put up in my small yard.
It's only 100x100 feet.
(But I have 7 very large, more than 200 year old oaks. Basically a shade covered lot with a house underneath the trees!)
And I have 3 different places that are ideal for boxes.
Except, 2 of those places might be too close together? The 2 trees are about 15 feet apart.
But they both have a clear view of the Southern exposure.
I don't know if the owls don't mind other owl neighbors so close by?
Or perhaps they are territorial and would compete for space?
Maybe I should only put up one box in my small space?
I'll take a look at the Cornell site just in case you don't see this comment.
But I'm asking you anyway, simply because I like to gather as much information as possible.
And I did hear you speak of your experience, which I consider invaluable!
Edit:
Well, I should've waited to watch the entire video before asking my questions!
You mentioned the Dallas/Ft.Worth metroplex, so I'll assume that's where you are.
Good to know!
I have family up there & I'm going to send them this video & push them to put up owl boxes too!
They're gunna love me for THAT one! (Not)
But they're used to it from me,
I'm always pushing SOMETHING Nature related toward them!
Thank You for all the great Owl Box info in this video!
I've seen other videos, but yours has better information geared toward the species to which we should be building.
And THAT'S what I've been looking for!
It's very helpful to see a person with experience explaining these details who is in, or near, my region.
Any tips on how I can better see the owls at night to get a better ID?
I do not have a nature cam, wish I did tho...
I am in the Dallas area but the common owls in your area are the same as ours. Eastern Screech owls are the most common and likely what you are seeing--they are small. The barn owls are medium sized and generally will be around fields and grassy areas. The Barred owls are quite large and make the who-who who cooks for you call. The great horned owl is massive and won't be mistaken for anything else in the area. There is a tiny population of western Screech owls down there. They are very rare in that area but their behaviors mirror the Eastern, So,, yea this box would work for you as well--and it is ventilated for the hotter temps as well. Thanks--great question !
This was the first of your videos that I watched.
I just got done watching all your other owl and bat videos.
And now, ALL my questions have been answered!!
So Thank You AGAIN for every video you've made with all the good information in them!
❤🦉♥️🦉♥️🦉♥️🦉♥️🦉♥️