Owl I.D. ?

[rooster]

Looking for some help on I.D. of this owl. My wife took the picture yesterday while letting the dog out. I would imagine it was repping the benefits of a little heat loss under the door. She was able to get as close as 15' feet for the photo. As soon as she snapped the shot the owl flew off.
Location- Barry County

Thanks for the help!

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/539/75owl_photo-med.jpg

[rooster]

Thanks Spiltshot !

Do you know if that is the normal size of the screech owl. I would estimate this one to be about 8" tall. Seems kind of small to me.

Rooster

[YPSIFLY]

WOW! That is a cool lookin' bird!

I have heard many owls at night in the Pinckney Rec. Area, but have never seen one up close.

[dongiese]

Man I've had one of these land in the tree 2 " from my head, but it was dark so i didn't know what it was, that is until the sun came up and we spotted each other at the same time. had to rewash my camo after that hunt.:eek:

[FREEPOP]

Hey Ray, I was hunting once and saw one that was about four or five inches high, with big eyes, but no tufts on his head. It looked like a little Gremlin (from the movie) and the neighbor guy said it was a screech owl. Any ideas?

[rooster]

Thanks again Splitshot for the education!

Got to love the country living. Always a new experience everyday you look out the window.

We also have what appears to be small falcons flying around here also. I believe someone told me they were "coots"?

I guess it's time to get a bird ID book or search the audobon site.

[FREEPOP]

Thanks Ray. Hey, I'm itching to get out for some coyotes. Give me a yell when you get your call and some time.

[Erik]

We also have what appears to be small falcons flying around here also. I believe someone told me they were "coots"?
Rooster, coots are water birds. They are kind of grey in color and build nests in marsh areas just like geese and ducks.
The birds you describe as looking like miniature falcons are probably kestrels. I always knew them as sparrow hawks, but I was corrected a few years ago by an expert :) I see them alot in my neck of the woods.
Also on the screech owl subject. Screech owls have different color phases. Some are grey, and some are more brown or red like the one you took your picture of.
That is a cool picture by the way.

[Big Frank 25]

http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/infocenter.html#Tyrannidae

[TeamPolarisracing]

cool looking bird