Eastern Screech-Owls in North Dakota
When eastern screech-owls are present in North Dakota, when they nest, which native North Dakota plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3a–4b yard.
- Status in North Dakota
- Year-round resident
- Nesting window
- April–May
- Broods
- 1 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3a–4b
- Nest box
- 3 in hole, 8 × 8 in floor, 10–30 ft
When to expect eastern screech-owls in North Dakota
Eastern Screech-Owls live in North Dakota all year. Severe winters to −30°F; Snow Buntings and redpolls arrive from the Arctic. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward mice and roosting birds.
Continental northern prairie with prairie-pothole wetlands and the Missouri River breaks.
Nesting in North Dakota
Across North Dakota, eastern screech-owls typically nest from April–May. Nest site: tree cavity or nest box with wood-chip base. Females lay 2–6 eggs, incubate for 26–34 days, and young leave the nest after about 28 days.
Short, warm summers with a peak nesting season in June.
- Have boxes cleaned and mounted before March — eastern screech-owls begin prospecting ahead of egg-laying.
- Use a 3 in entrance on a 8 × 8 in floor, mounted 10–30 ft.
- Fit a pole baffle or hole guard; ventilation gaps and drainage holes are essential.
- Clean out old nests after each brood and again after May.
Native North Dakota plants that attract eastern screech-owls
Of the regional native plants we track for North Dakota, these 8 provide food or cover eastern screech-owls use:
Drought-hardy prairie oak with large acorns and a heavy insect load.
Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees.
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.
Hosts hundreds of caterpillar species; spring flowers draw early insects.
Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.
Feeding eastern screech-owls through the North Dakota year
Screech-owls roost in nest boxes by day; a box on a large tree 10–30 ft up is often used year after year.
- Best foods: .
- In North Dakota's winter: Severe winters to −30°F; Snow Buntings and redpolls arrive from the Arctic.
Frequently asked
Are eastern screech-owls in North Dakota year-round?
Yes. Eastern Screech-Owls are year-round residents in North Dakota.
When do eastern screech-owls nest in North Dakota?
Nesting in North Dakota typically runs April–May, with 1 per season. Clutches are 2–6 eggs, incubated for 26–34 days.
What native plants attract eastern screech-owls in North Dakota?
Bur oak, Black cherry, American elderberry, New England aster, Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Sugar maple, Chokecherry are native plants in North Dakota that provide food or cover for eastern screech-owls.
What size birdhouse hole do eastern screech-owls need?
3 in, with a floor of 8 × 8 in mounted 10–30 ft.
Eastern Screech-Owls in other regions
Other backyard birds in North Dakota
Sources
- Eastern Screech-Owl — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Eastern Screech-Owl life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Eastern Screech-Owl — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- NestWatch nest box plans and species requirements — Cornell Lab
- eBird region overview and bar charts — North Dakota
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- 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.