Draper Museum Raptor Experience
Monte: Eastern Screech-owl
Melissa Hill, Live Raptor Program Manager for the Draper Museum Raptor Experience, sat down with Wyoming Public Media’s Olivia Weitz to reflect on her time with Monte, a beloved Eastern Screech Owl who once called the Center of the West home. Since Monte’s passing in 2024, she now resides in the Draper Natural History Museum as a beautifully preserved ambassador for her species. Tune in to their engaging conversation below:
As a tribute to Monte, we share this “Museum Minute” from 2021:
About the Bird:
Monte, a female Eastern Screech-owl who hatched in 2017, was found near Roberts, Montana, with the tip of her right wing missing, most likely due to a vehicle collision. Her poor flight prevented her from surviving well in the wild.
General Species Info:
The Eastern Screech-owl is found throughout most of the eastern half of the United States, generally east of the Rocky Mountains into parts of southeastern Canada and northeastern Mexico.
Eastern Screech-owls prefer almost any habitat with abundant tree cover. Tree cavities or nest boxes are crucial, but Eastern Screech-owls have successfully existed in farmland, suburban landscapes, and city parks.
Eastern Screech-owls eat most kinds of small animals, including small birds and mammals as well as surprisingly large numbers of earthworms, insects, crayfish, tadpoles, frogs, and lizards. They eat many types of mammals, ranging from mice, rats, moles, squirrels, and rabbits. Some have even been documented catching small fish!
Notes from Staff:
Monte, a little firecracker of an owl, always remained extra vigilant for potential predators during programs in the garden. Raptor program handlers always kept her closer than the other raptors, helping her feel less exposed.
