Gray Morph, Eastern Screech-owl

The Gray Morph Eastern Screech-owl that lived in the London Plane tree next to the Lake in Central Park has not been seen in his usual hole lately. Some people speculate that it may have fallen victim to the Great Horned Owl who roosts not more than 100 yards away.

According to Donald S. Heintzelman in his excellent book Hawks and Owls of Eastern North America, "Avian prey represents about 10 percent of a horned owl's diet. Species taken include...Red-tailed Hawks, Barn Owls, Eastern Screech-Owls, Barred Owls, Long-eared Owls, Short-eared Owls, and Northern Saw-whet Owls."

Boy, you better lock-up your owls when a Great Horned Owl is around!

More Gray morph Eastern Screech-owl photos here: http://www.calvorn.com/gallery/photo.php?photo=5913

We have some Red Morphs in the park too. They are still around. Photos of one of them can be seen here: http://www.calvorn.com/gallery/photo.php?photo=5927

This Tufted Titmouse is looking in the empty hole where the Gray morph used to sleep.