Thank you for your comments, My husband hung an owl house about six weeks ago. We had a little owl show up and we were so happy; however, we loved him/her so much. A few mornings later, our little owl was lying on the ground below the tree that held her house. She had a broken wing and one of her eyes was put out. I have been so sad and have searched to find what or who had taken her life. I feel sure it was a Blue Jay due to the number of Jays we have in our yard. I have been broken-hearted over her loss. Is it likely that we will have others come to our yard? Thank you so much for all of your information.
I read that one of the best places to put a box is right on the edge of a park, grove or at the edge of any tree line facing a field-- which will allow them a "bird's eye" view to spot any critters for food. Where is your box? Is it on a tree line facing a field or within a grove of trees?
I built one and read several articles they don't recommend perches because it allows squirrels to eat the eggs. But I guess it is working out ok for you? Amazing the male is just sitting there as you enter the tent.
We do get squirrels and even opossums at times, but the owls will fend off any critters trying to take their home. Screech owls are small but very tough.
Thanks for sharing the Great info!! We have a number of GHO here in our neighborhood but we have some Screech Owl houses coming to give them safe haven! I Subscribed
Just something sturdy. I could even be on a shed. Make sure it is about 10ft off the ground. If in a tree it is idea (and something I did not have) to install it a little above a branch for the little ones to land on if they fall out. But that was never a problem. Best of luck with yours. They are so fun to watch.
I have had the same owl box for a couple years, but only red shouldered black birds seem to move in. Its about 15 feet up and faces due south without any obstructions. Maybe I need to get up there and clean it out this year?
Thanks for the comment. We do clean ours out and put new cedar hamster shavings in. Just make sure there isn't an opossum in there before you reach in. About fell off my ladder one year.
They are not aggressive towards people at all. As long as we approached them slowly they would watch us. Even at times we were with in a few feet and they were pretty chill. Screech owls are amazing creatures to watch and listen to. Enjoy and have a great week.
We have had all sorts of critters move in. One time I opened it up to clean it out and found an opossum staring back at me. Squirrels seem to like it. Though the screech owls are tiny, they are tough and do not take others moving into their home well. When cleaning out after they leave for the season I typically find bluejay feathers in there so we know how that went. Thanks for the question
Hey there, I recently had a screech move into the same exact box. I've read that they should be put next to a branch where the young owlets can get out and stretch their wings on but I see you don't have one close by either. Have you observed the young ones coming out, just wondering where they perch.
You are correct in both statements. Though we do not have a branch just under the owl house, the owlets (all 3 sets of them) have never expressed trouble. Biggest concern would be one falling from the owl house and not being able to get back. But we have never witnessed that and we have cameras all around and even in the owl house.
I bought the same box (although it looks like songbirdessentials.com have discontinued this precise model) several months ago, but haven’t put it up yet because I haven’t been able to decide which branch of the various trees we have is best given the instruction about trying to have the “perching” branch for the young. However, on seeing your video, along with reading around various places, it looks like the *only* place that talks about that perch is the songbirdessentials.com instructions, on the sheet of paper that comes with the box. So I think I’m just going to site it the way you have, on a fairly bare trunk, and not worry about the perch. That also makes more sense for me in terms of squirrels. We have loads of the wee beasties and I’m pretty sure I’m going to have a fight on my hands keeping them away, without essentially inviting the, in via a perch! Fingers crossed.
In the back of the owl house there are four pre-drilled holes. Three inch screws were used to allow for any gap between the house and the tree to assure secure a solid attachment. The height of is at about nine feet. We have also installed one a little higher in a facing tree.
Thank you! These videos with descriptions of your backyard owls are great! At any point did you notice changes in their behavior toward your family being in the yard? We have our first pair of screech owls nesting in our backyard box. At dusk, we sit on our patio (30 ft from the box) to watch their activity. So far, they don't seem to mind this or us being near the box during the day. I'm curious if their behavior toward us will change once the owlets hatch. Also, when do the owlets begin to look out of the box and at what time of the day does this occur (dusk?) ? I would appreciate any info you're willing to share.
Great questions.. We never noticed a difference in behavior before or after the babies. They seemed to be fine as long as we didn't move too quick and stayed about 5 feet away from the tree. They were never aggressive toward anyone in our family, but did not seem to be big fans of bluejays.. :) It was really cool to have a camera looking through the roof of the owl house so we could see when the eggs were laid and how many hatched. It's also pretty funny to see the owlets grow and space gets a little crammed. Once they were old enough to jump up to the opening they would peak out throughout the day and feeding took place in the evening. We had one really cool experience where the owlets and their parents had left. We were sitting out on the back porch around dusk and we started to notice one owl sitting on the playhouse in our backyard and then one on the trampoline and then three more (the owlets) on a branch in the tree the owl house is in. Kind of like they were saying goodbye for the season. We really love having the owl house.
At our previous house we had two of these owl houses up and often had an owl in each. Sometimes it was another type of critter. But Screech Owls are tough and will defend their space.
Nov. 10 ‘18. - I’ve had an Owl Box for two years. No Screech Owls yet, but squirrels going into the box are a problem. We live in Kitchener Ontario. Any suggestions?
Install a 5’ metal heating duct over the tree trunk at least 4’ above the ground. You will need to trim nearby tree branches that squirrels will use to jump to the tree with the box. Jumping 6’ from tree to tree is easy for squirrels.
Thanks for the great info. I will build one using your house for my design. Would a screech owl help rid me of squirrels that are ruining my lawn and chewing the eves in my home ?
+Crystal Lee & The Junkyard Dogs Thanks.. It really is fun to watch and learn their behaviors. For the camera I am just using one camera from my Zmodo home surveillance system. I had previously had a camera just a couple feet from the opening of the owl house, but last year between seasons (when I clean out and replace the wood shavings) I cut a hole in the roof of the owl house and sealed a camera in place. Now we can capture video footage and watch from our TV. If you need more specifics please let me know.
Have found squires and even opossums living in our owl house. But though these owl are little, they are tough and will help kick out anyone who shouldn't be there.
+Crystal Lee & The Junkyard Dogs Thanks.. It really is fun to watch and learn their behaviors. For the camera I am just using one camera from my Zmodo home surveillance system. I had previously had a camera just a couple feet from the opening of the owl house, but last year between seasons (when I clean out and replace the wood shavings) I cut a hole in the roof of the owl house and sealed a camera in place. Now we can capture video footage and watch from our TV. If you need more specifics please let me know.
I was wanting to set up a Screech Owl house at my parents place, they are out in the country and the Eastern Screech Owl is my favorite Owl, and I was wanting to know what Camera system you were using and how it was installed. Thank you so much on all information you can tell me on these Wonderful Owls!
Thank you for your comments, My husband hung an owl house about six weeks ago. We had a little owl show up and we were so happy; however, we loved him/her so much. A few mornings later, our little owl was lying on the ground below the tree that held her house. She had a broken wing and one of her eyes was put out. I have been so sad and have searched to find what or who had taken her life. I feel sure it was a Blue Jay due to the number of Jays we have in our yard. I have been broken-hearted over her loss. Is it likely that we will have others come to our yard? Thank you so much for all of your information.
I read that one of the best places to put a box is right on the edge of a park, grove or at the edge of any tree line facing a field-- which will allow them a "bird's eye" view to spot any critters for food. Where is your box? Is it on a tree line facing a field or within a grove of trees?
I am from Malta ,great and impressive job you are doing . I love owls ,I live with 20 barn owls,in my apartment.
we are having our trees trimmed tomorrow and putting up our owl house too. We can’t wait to see what happens next🤞
how do you not get squirrels
I ordered this same box
We have hawks
Wonder if took top perch off the owl could get in hole.
For screech owls they can fit perfect though the whole. Beautiful creatures.
Ohmygosh please tell me there is more
I built one and read several articles they don't recommend perches because it allows squirrels to eat the eggs. But I guess it is working out ok for you? Amazing the male is just sitting there as you enter the tent.
We do get squirrels and even opossums at times, but the owls will fend off any critters trying to take their home. Screech owls are small but very tough.
How far is your owl house from your house? Will they flee if you do stuff in the backyard?
Our house was about 10 ft away, but we could walk closer as long as we moved slow and without sudden movement.
The poor male...at least he's not living in the dog house---he's living in a tent
Thanks for sharing the Great info!! We have a number of GHO here in our neighborhood but we have some Screech Owl houses coming to give them safe haven! I Subscribed
Great video
Hi there, the link is broken now. Can you please update it, I'd like to buy the one you recommend. Thx.
Thank you for the heads up. I have added a link that is similar and should work perfectly. Screech owls are amazing to watch.
Do squirrels not get into these screech owl homes, that is my concern.
Over time we saw a few critters move it... or at least try to. We even has an opossum move in, but Screech owls are tough and always seemed to win.
LIVE IN WOODS OF N. WIS. WILL THESE OWLS HELP PREVENT MICE, GARTER SNAKES AND MOSQUITOES??? THX
What kind of trees are best to hang this on? I built one of these and want to hang it this spring, which tree do you recommend putting it on?
Just something sturdy. I could even be on a shed. Make sure it is about 10ft off the ground. If in a tree it is idea (and something I did not have) to install it a little above a branch for the little ones to land on if they fall out. But that was never a problem. Best of luck with yours. They are so fun to watch.
I have had the same owl box for a couple years, but only red shouldered black birds seem to move in. Its about 15 feet up and faces due south without any obstructions. Maybe I need to get up there and clean it out this year?
Thanks for the comment. We do clean ours out and put new cedar hamster shavings in. Just make sure there isn't an opossum in there before you reach in. About fell off my ladder one year.
Do they get territorial with humans?
I put up our box, but now questioning the placement, as it’s in direct view of a walking path.
They are not aggressive towards people at all. As long as we approached them slowly they would watch us. Even at times we were with in a few feet and they were pretty chill. Screech owls are amazing creatures to watch and listen to. Enjoy and have a great week.
PRA7 Reviews thank you!! We appreciate you sharing your experience!
How do you keep this starlings form building a nest in there?
We have had all sorts of critters move in. One time I opened it up to clean it out and found an opossum staring back at me. Squirrels seem to like it. Though the screech owls are tiny, they are tough and do not take others moving into their home well. When cleaning out after they leave for the season I typically find bluejay feathers in there so we know how that went. Thanks for the question
I just built one out of cedar and im wondering how you fastened that to the tree?
This one came with a set of holes in the back and it is just screwed to the tree in multiple spots.
Hey there, I recently had a screech move into the same exact box. I've read that they should be put next to a branch where the young owlets can get out and stretch their wings on but I see you don't have one close by either. Have you observed the young ones coming out, just wondering where they perch.
You are correct in both statements. Though we do not have a branch just under the owl house, the owlets (all 3 sets of them) have never expressed trouble. Biggest concern would be one falling from the owl house and not being able to get back. But we have never witnessed that and we have cameras all around and even in the owl house.
I bought the same box (although it looks like songbirdessentials.com have discontinued this precise model) several months ago, but haven’t put it up yet because I haven’t been able to decide which branch of the various trees we have is best given the instruction about trying to have the “perching” branch for the young. However, on seeing your video, along with reading around various places, it looks like the *only* place that talks about that perch is the songbirdessentials.com instructions, on the sheet of paper that comes with the box. So I think I’m just going to site it the way you have, on a fairly bare trunk, and not worry about the perch. That also makes more sense for me in terms of squirrels. We have loads of the wee beasties and I’m pretty sure I’m going to have a fight on my hands keeping them away, without essentially inviting the, in via a perch! Fingers crossed.
how did you attach it to the tree and how high up did you place it?
In the back of the owl house there are four pre-drilled holes. Three inch screws were used to allow for any gap between the house and the tree to assure secure a solid attachment. The height of is at about nine feet. We have also installed one a little higher in a facing tree.
Approx how far do you go up to the hole with shavings
Typically just a thing layer of maybe an inch.
Thank you! These videos with descriptions of your backyard owls are great! At any point did you notice changes in their behavior toward your family being in the yard? We have our first pair of screech owls nesting in our backyard box. At dusk, we sit on our patio (30 ft from the box) to watch their activity. So far, they don't seem to mind this or us being near the box during the day. I'm curious if their behavior toward us will change once the owlets hatch. Also, when do the owlets begin to look out of the box and at what time of the day does this occur (dusk?) ? I would appreciate any info you're willing to share.
Great questions.. We never noticed a difference in behavior before or after the babies. They seemed to be fine as long as we didn't move too quick and stayed about 5 feet away from the tree. They were never aggressive toward anyone in our family, but did not seem to be big fans of bluejays.. :) It was really cool to have a camera looking through the roof of the owl house so we could see when the eggs were laid and how many hatched. It's also pretty funny to see the owlets grow and space gets a little crammed. Once they were old enough to jump up to the opening they would peak out throughout the day and feeding took place in the evening. We had one really cool experience where the owlets and their parents had left. We were sitting out on the back porch around dusk and we started to notice one owl sitting on the playhouse in our backyard and then one on the trampoline and then three more (the owlets) on a branch in the tree the owl house is in. Kind of like they were saying goodbye for the season. We really love having the owl house.
@@PRA7Reviews hi,
What is the dimension of your owl house?
Seeing the male was so cool!!
hey man do you still have owls? im in NC close to Wilmington and have got some around the house and going to put up a house for them
At our previous house we had two of these owl houses up and often had an owl in each. Sometimes it was another type of critter. But Screech Owls are tough and will defend their space.
@@PRA7Reviews going to put up one, Im in the woods so it will be great..thanks man
Is it a problem keeping squirrels out of them? Lots of varmints n our area of NE Ohio.
Owls call that ‘delivery’
I was just looking at this exact box, question, how is it mounted? Did you have to drill directly into the tree? Does it come with mounting hardware?
Robert Breckel there are four predrilled holes in the back panel. you will need to drill pilot holes in the tree but it shouldn't take much
No it uses 3m command strips so you dont have to drill in the tree moron.
Nov. 10 ‘18. - I’ve had an Owl Box for two years. No Screech Owls yet, but squirrels going into the box are a problem. We live in Kitchener Ontario. Any suggestions?
Install a 5’ metal heating duct over the tree trunk at least 4’ above the ground. You will need to trim nearby tree branches that squirrels will use to jump to the tree with the box. Jumping 6’ from tree to tree is easy for squirrels.
Thanks for the great info. I will build one using your house for my design. Would a screech owl help rid me of squirrels that are ruining my lawn and chewing the eves in my home ?
The squirrels will move into the box and raise a family
hey. just got one of these. what size screw did it use for it to hang without any problems??
We used probably 3 inch screws to allow for the wood of the owl house as well as any gap space between it and the tree.
Hi, what type of Camera are you using, and how did you install the Camera in the Owl House? Thank you!
+Crystal Lee & The Junkyard Dogs Thanks.. It really is fun to watch and learn their behaviors. For the camera I am just using one camera from my Zmodo home surveillance system. I had previously had a camera just a couple feet from the opening of the owl house, but last year between seasons (when I clean out and replace the wood shavings) I cut a hole in the roof of the owl house and sealed a camera in place. Now we can capture video footage and watch from our TV. If you need more specifics please let me know.
How do you keep starlings out?
I am worried about squirrels taking it over. i have a ton in the neighborhood.
Have found squires and even opossums living in our owl house. But though these owl are little, they are tough and will help kick out anyone who shouldn't be there.
TH-cams definitely been giving me some pretty interesting ads lately
I'm surprised squirrels didn't get in there
AWESOME!! :)
My name is Andrew too !😃
of course scale up for you owl size
i built a screech owl box out
You need VR with that camera otherwise, nice video :-)
We may need to try that.. Awesome idea
A tripod
i built a screech owl box out of cardboard
Dude, stop moving the camera around and learn how to focus.
Hi, what type of Camera are you using, and how did you install the Camera in the Owl House? Thank you!
+Crystal Lee & The Junkyard Dogs Thanks.. It really is fun to watch and learn their behaviors. For the camera I am just using one camera from my Zmodo home surveillance system. I had previously had a camera just a couple feet from the opening of the owl house, but last year between seasons (when I clean
out and replace the wood shavings) I cut a hole in the roof of the owl
house and sealed a camera in place. Now we can capture video footage
and watch from our TV. If you need more specifics please let me know.
I was wanting to set up a Screech Owl house at my parents place, they are out in the country and the Eastern Screech Owl is my favorite Owl, and I was wanting to know what Camera system you were using and how it was installed. Thank you so much on all information you can tell me on these Wonderful Owls!