2 eastern screech owls high up in a tree | Harry Collins Photography

Eastern screech owls look tiny, but they run the night like it’s their kingdom. Sharp hearing, perfect camouflage, and a call you can feel more than hear. One of the quietest hunters in the trees. Video by @rc_photowild. | We Need This

Living in a variety of forest types, the diet of the Eastern screech owl is one of the most varied of all North American owl species. Primary prey is region-specific, with these tiny raptors feeding on everything from insects, crayfish, and earthworms to songbirds, rodents, and amphibians. Hunting under the cover of darkness, screech owls will swoop down from their perch and capture prey, sometimes storing uneaten food items in tree cavities. This red phased screech owl was photographed at the W