How to attract western screech-owls to your yard
Western Screech-Owls respond to four things: the right food, the right plants, water and safe nesting cover. Here is what each means for this particular bird, drawn from its range across 14 states and provinces.
First: is it in your area, and when?
You can only attract a bird that passes through or lives near you, so start with timing. The Western Screech-Owl is a year-round resident in 14 states and provinces, including Alberta, Arizona, British Columbia, California, Colorado, Idaho and 8 more — there, a yard can host it in every season.
Plant what western screech-owls use
These native plants are tied to the Western Screech-Owl in our regional plant lists (Audubon Native Plants and state sources). The count shows how many states or provinces list the plant for this bird — higher means it works across more of the range. Pick the ones native where you live.
| Plant | Type | States | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chokecherry Prunus virginiana | Shrub | 13 | Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load. |
| Rabbitbrush Ericameria nauseosa | Shrub | 13 | Late-season bloom supports insects; seed for sparrows. |
| Ponderosa pine Pinus ponderosa | Tree | 12 | Seeds and bark insects; pygmy nuthatch and woodpecker habitat. |
| Tall goldenrod Solidago altissima | Perennial | 11 | Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter. |
| Douglas fir Pseudotsuga menziesii | Tree | 9 | Seed for crossbills, siskins and chickadees. |
| Willow (Bebb) Salix bebbiana | Shrub | 7 | Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds. |
| Gambel oak Quercus gambelii | Tree | 6 | Acorns for jays and woodpeckers across the southern Rockies. |
| Paper birch Betula papyrifera | Tree | 6 | Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter. |
| Oregon white oak Quercus garryana | Tree | 4 | Acorns and a rich insect community in the Pacific Northwest. |
| American elderberry Sambucus canadensis | Shrub | 3 | Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species. |
Your list covers 3 plant layers (shrub, tree, perennial). Layering matters: mixing shrub, tree, perennial gives western screech-owls food, perches and cover at different heights. Leave seed heads and fruit standing into winter instead of cutting back in fall.
Offer the food it actually eats
Insects, mice and small birds taken at night.
- Warm months
- Moths, beetles, crickets and mice
- Cold months
- Mice and roosting small birds
- At feeders
- None — a nest box and mature trees are the draw
Feeder style matters as much as food: shallow bird bath (1–2 in deep) is the first choice for this bird. Roosts in cavities and nest boxes by day; a screech-owl box in a shady tree is often occupied. Feeder guide →
Give it a place to nest
Natural site: Tree cavity or nest box in wooded neighborhoods.
The Western Screech-Owl uses nest boxes with a 3 in entrance, mounted 10–30 ft. Exact box dimensions →
- Clutch
- 1–7 eggs
- Incubation
- 21–30 days
- Nestling period
- 26–30 days
- Broods per year
- 1 per season
Timing shifts with latitude: nesting begins around February in Arizona but not until April in Wyoming. Don't trim shrubs or clean boxes during those months.
Water, safety and patience
- A shallow bath (1–2 in deep) with a rough bottom, refreshed every 2–3 days; a dripper or heater makes it far more attractive in summer heat and winter freeze.
- Place feeders within 3 ft of windows or more than 30 ft away to cut window strikes, and keep cats indoors.
- Skip pesticides — most backyard birds feed insects to their nestlings, even seed-eaters.
- Give it time. New feeders and plantings can take days to weeks to be found; residents usually find a stocked yard first.
Frequently asked
What attracts western screech-owls to a yard?
Food they actually eat (none — a nest box and mature trees are the draw), native plants such as Chokecherry, Rabbitbrush, Ponderosa pine, clean water and suitable nesting cover: tree cavity or nest box in wooded neighborhoods.
What plants attract western screech-owls?
Across the Western Screech-Owl's range, the native plants most often tied to it are Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), Rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa), Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), Tall goldenrod (Solidago altissima), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). Choose the ones native to your state.
When should I set up my yard for nesting western screech-owls?
Nesting starts around February in Arizona and as late as April in Wyoming. Have cover, water and nest boxes ready a month before.
Sources
- Western Screech-Owl — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Western Screech-Owl life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Western Screech-Owl — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- NestWatch nest box plans and species requirements — Cornell Lab
- Audubon Native Plants Database
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.