I found this trio of Eastern Screech-Owls (Megascops asio) while on my way home from dinner last night. Given that it was cloudy with an obscured new moon I’m impressed that my phone managed to capture a somewhat decent photo of them.

Do not let their diminutive size fool you, they are ferocious hunters. While crickets, grasshoppers, and beetles make up a large part of their diet Screeches also prey on rodents. Mice are a favorite but they will even hunt down mammals that outweigh them such as rats, squirrels, and young rabbits. This behavior led early ornithologists to refer to them as “feathered wildcats”.

I’m thrilled to have them on patrol in my neighborhood!

* Yes, I’m aware this species doesn’t actually hoot (nor does it screech, but hey, I didn’t name it). Check out their cool sounds.