Nest: One of the most common nest sites of the elf owl is in old woodpecker holes in saguaro cactus. It has also been reported nesting in cavities in sycamore, walnut, mesquite, and pine trees (Ligon 1967, Bent 1938, Hayes and James 1963). Cavities are usually located in snags or in dead branches of living trees.
Food: Elf owls feed almost entirely on insects, particularly beetles, moths, and crickets. They also feed on centipedes and scorpions and have been reported to take an occasional reptile (Ligon 1967).
Barred owl
Strix varia
L 17″ W 44″
Habitat: Barred owls are common in southern swamps and moist river bottoms of the Midwest, and less common but widespread in northern forests. These owls are found in all of the eastern forest types. Although they use white pine, these large owls prefer oak woods and mixed hardwood-conifer stands (Nicholls and Warner 1972). Preferred oak woods contain dead and dying trees for cavities and are free of dense understory, thus facilitating unobstructed flying and attacking of prey.
Nest: Natural cavities in hollow trees are preferred by barred owls. If these are unavailable, deserted crow, raptor, or squirrel nests are occasionally used (Pearson 1936, Bent 1938). Hollow trees used usually have hunting perches with good views. Recommended nest box size is 13 × 15 × 16 inches deep, with an entrance hole 8 inches in diameter (Hamerstrom 1972). Nest boxes will have a better chance of being used if they are placed near woods and streams.
Food: Barred owls are nocturnal hunters. More than half of the food items taken in western Missouri consisted of meadow mice, cottontail rabbits, and cotton rats (Korschgen and Stuart 1972).