The Eastern Screech-owl is an extremely rare visitor to Alberta. Historical records generally have not distinguished the Western from the Eastern Screech-owl, and the two combined, have only been seen in Alberta about once every decade. Their ranges overlap only in Eastern Colorado and Texas. These very rare occurrences are widely distributed from Waterton Lakes to Lesser Slave Lake. There is one record of a pair nesting in Banff in 1897.
For the period 1897 to 1986 the following undifferentiated sitings have occurred: Banff, Pigeon Lake, Belvedere, Waterton Lakes (2), Swan Hills, Lesser Slave Lake, Cardston, Lethbridge (2). One specimen from Edmonton has been identified as Eastern. The Eastern Screech-Owl is a nocturnal woodland owl of eastern: Mexico, United States, and Canada, where it is generally restricted to southern; Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba. Throughout its range it is a permanent resident and does not migrate.
Its diet consists of insects and rodents.
Nesting sites are in tree cavities, farm buildings, and nest boxes. Three to four or as many as six, white to creamy white eggs are incubated for 28 days, fledging in 28 days.
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Where to find Eastern Screech-Owls in Alberta
This species does not occur in the Weaselhead/Glenmore Park area. However, anything can happen. So if you should happen to spot one, please let us know immediately using the form below and please call the Calgary Rare Bird Alert line at 403-237-8821. Brent Johner
Please Report the Eastern Screech-Owls You See in Alberta
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BRENT JOHNER
for serving as the society's PAST PRESIDENT this year
ROSEMARIE FOLEY
for serving 7 consecutive years on the society's Board