<Li> M. a . floridanus (Ridgway, 1873) is resident in Florida and southern Georgia west through Gulf Coast states to western Louisiana and north in the Mississippi River valley to southeastern Arkansas . This race's dorsal color is often rusty - brown (red morph equally common), with fine and dense markings . As described above, this subspecies may occur in a true "brown morph". It is the smallest race of eastern screech owl, ranging in wing chord length from 13 to 16 cm (5.1 to 6.3 in). </Li> <P> Eastern screech owls inhabit open mixed woodlands, deciduous forests, parklands, wooded suburban areas, riparian woods along streams and wetlands (especially in drier areas), mature orchards, and woodlands near marshes, meadows, and fields . They try to avoid areas known to have regular activity of larger owls, especially great horned owls (Bubo virginianus). Their ability to live in heavily developed areas outranks even the great horned and certainly the barred owl (Strix varia); screech owls also are considerably more successful in the face of urbanization than barn owls (Tyto alba) following the conversion of what was once farmland . Due to the introduction of open woodland and cultivated strips in the Great Plains, the range of eastern screech owls there has expanded . Eastern screech owls have been reported living and nesting in spots such as along the border of a busy highway and on the top of a street light in the middle of a busy town square . They often nest in trees in neighborhoods and urban yards inhabited by humans . In such urban environments, they often meet their dietary needs via introduced species that live close to man such as house sparrows (Passer domesticus) and house mice (Mus musculus). They also consume anole lizards and large insects such as cicadas . They occupy the greatest range of habitats of any owl east of the Rockies . Eastern screech owls roost mainly in natural cavities in large trees, including cavities open to the sky during dry weather . In suburban and rural areas, they may roost in manmade locations such as behind loose boards on buildings, in boxcars, or on water tanks . They also roost in dense foliage of trees, usually on a branch next to the trunk, or in dense, scrubby brush . The distribution of the species is largely concurrent with the distribution of eastern deciduous woodlands, probably discontinuing at the Rocky Mountains in the west and in northern Mexico in the south due to the occupation of similar niches by other screech owls and discontinuing at the start of true boreal forest because of the occupation of a similar niche by other small owls (especially boreal owls (Aegolius funereus). Eastern screech owls may be found from sea level up to 1,400 m (4,600 ft) in elevation in the eastern Rocky Mountains and up to 1,500 m (4,900 ft) in the eastern Sierra Madre Oriental Mountains, although their altitudinal limits in the Appalachian Mountains, near the heart of their distribution, is not currently known . </P> <P> Eastern screech owls are strictly nocturnal, roosting during the day in cavities or next to tree trunks . They are quite common, and can often be found in residential areas . However, due to their small size and camouflage, they are much more frequently heard than actually seen . These owls are frequently heard calling at night, especially during their spring breeding season . Despite their name, this owl does not truly screech . The eastern screech owl's call is a tremolo with a descending, whinny - like quality, like that of a miniature horse . They also produce a monotone purring trill lasting 3--5 seconds . Their voices are unmistakable and follow a noticeably different phrasing than that of the western screech owl . The lugubrious nature of the eastern screech owl's call has warranted description such as, "A most solemn graveyard ditty, the mutual consolation of suicide lovers remembering the pangs and delights of the supernal love in the infernal groves, Oh - o-o-o, had I never been bor - r-r-n . (James Hubbard Langille, 1884). </P> <P> Their breeding habitat is deciduous or mixed woods in eastern North America . Usually solitary, they nest in a tree cavity, either natural or excavated by a woodpecker . Holes must have a 7 to 20 cm (2.8 to 7.9 in) entrance to accommodate this owl . Usually, they fit only in the holes excavated by northern flickers (Colaptes auratus) or pileated woodpeckers (Dryocopus pileatus), as apparently the midsized red - bellied woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinensis) make holes that are not large enough to accommodate them . Orchards, which often have trees with crevices and holes, as well as meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus), a dietary favorite, are often preferred nesting habitats . Eastern screech owls also use nesting boxes erected by humans . Although some people put up nest boxes meant for screech owls, the owls also take over nest boxes meant for others, such as those for wood ducks (Aix sponsa), houses erected for purple martins (Progne subis), and dovecotes put up for rock pigeons (Columba livia), occasionally killing and consuming at least the latter two in the process of taking over the nest box . A 9 - year study comparing the breeding success of eastern screech owls nesting in natural cavities and nesting in nest boxes showed that the fledging rate was essentially the same, although in some years, up to 10% more success occurred in the natural cavities . Depending on the origins of the hole being used, eastern screech owl nests have been recorded from 1.5 to 25 m (4.9 to 82.0 ft) off the ground . Like all owls, these birds do not actually build a nest; instead, females lay their eggs directly on the bare floor of the nest hole or on the layer of fur and feathers left over from previous meals that line the bottom of its den . Breeding pairs often return to the same nest year after year . </P>

Where do screech owls go during the day