Molting screech owl? (1 Viewer)

[NatureLvrCanada]

I read somewhere the eastern screech owl molts in July and August. Not having previously seen a screech owl molt I thought at first this was a juvenile. I understand their molt starts on the back and works its way to the under parts and eventually the head. This looks like an adult?





http://www.pbase.com/golfpic/image/115192459/original

 

[mrmanning]

This appears to be an adult in molt to me. I don't see these a lot, but I do help out with nest boxes for owls every couple months. Screech owns are what I see most often, and this matches the molting adults I have seen.

 

[NatureLvrCanada]

This appears to be an adult in molt to me. I don't see these a lot, but I do help out with nest boxes for owls every couple months. Screech owns are what I see most often, and this matches the molting adults I have seen.

Thanks for the confirmation. Really appreciated. Can I ask what about its features would indicate it is an adult bird?

 

[mrmanning]

Thanks for the confirmation. Really appreciated. Can I ask what about its features would indicate it is an adult bird?

In my experience, and this is only in my experience with cleaning and refreshing the nest boxes, I might have seen 10 juvies.

The ones in this area have a light brown/tan wash over them, and they are nowhere near as dark and pronounced as the bird in your photo. That is what I am going on. I could be wrong of course, but this looks like an adult in molt to me, based on ones I've seen with experienced owlers.