owls

Does anyone know what owls can be found in coastal Mississippi? I bought an owl house and mounted it in a tree along my driveway. Something is nesting (can see the nesting material poking out of the bottom of the house) in it, but I have never seen what bird it is. Thanks, Julie

Barred Owl for one.

A group of owls is known as a parliament, a stare, a study, and a wisdom.

I almost wonder if you have a mammal in there. Or maybe House Sparrow or Starling.

Of the cavity nesting owls that I am aware of, Barn and Eastern Screech-Owl, they would not use nesting material, though a Barn Owl may make a nest cup of her own pellets after shredding them up with her feet. Both of these owls are in your area.

The Northern Saw-whet Owl winters there, but I haven't read if they roost in cavities during that time. They, too, do not add nesting material, only using anything existing.

Post a picture of your box and maybe someone can narrow down what might be using it.

I'm out of town until Wednesday, so can't post a pic right now. Could it be squirrels? Maybe? I was so hoping it was an owl!

Found this site:
http://pascagoulariver.audubon.org/annotated-checklist-birds-six-coastal-counties-mississippi
linked to this document:
http://pascagoulariver.audubon.org/sites/default/files/documents/july_2014_anno_list.pdf

What I got from reading it is Barred Owl and Eastern Screech owl are possible. Barn and Great-horned are too large for most nest boxes, Burrowing is unlikely to use a next box in a tree, and the others winter but don't seem to nest there.

Chillybean is right, Owls aren't nest builders, they are nest borrowers.

Thanks! I've been out of town, but I'm suspecting it is probably squirrels or some other kind of bird. I'll keep watching.