I brought it into the house and made a whole bunch of phone calls, but unless I want to drive for a couple of hours, there is no one who will take it, so guess what- we are in the rehab business as of today! One lady brought me a couple of mice in live traps, but the owl wouldn't eat. I think it got really stressed, and I was told that their normal eating times are dusk and dawn, so we will try again this evening. I put it in a portable dog kennel for today, with a dish of water and if it eats and drinks I'll move it to the Canine Hilton where it will have plenty of room to move- and when it can fly it will be able to fly out of there.
Ted was overwhelmed; he loves owls and when he walked in the door and saw me holding an owl he was so excited he could hardly talk.
We consider it a honour to try to help this beautiful bird.
UPDATE: The owl ate some raw chicken, and drank some water. It wouldn't touch a live mouse, or a dead one. We think it's a juvenile. It flapped it's wings today, so the damage can't be too severe. It may be able to fly in a day or two. Meanwhile, it will be developing a taste for chicken....
22 comments:
He's beautiful. I hope he heals well and is back on his way in no time.
Owls are beautiful...good luck with the bird doctoring...
Y'all rock Shirley. Keep us posted on how that beautiful fellow is doing.
That is amazing that is let you even get close to it and hold it. That is great and lots of luck on getting him better!
What a beautiful owl - hope it recovers OK!
Poor guy....There's a rescue center north of Taber and maybe if you called them they could at least give you some information or even find a ride for it. All the best:)
aww shux!!! i adore owls! :D
What a beautiful owl! I'm so excited to see the rehab!
Hi, we kept European Eagle Owls for many years, big suckers!!!! Owls dont drink water or drink any thing! Their water comes from the food they eat, hence live animals!!!!! Or frozen day old chicks, (thaw them first). The food must be real fresh, and if it dont eat within 24 hours, assume the worst, they are difficult to rear, and tend to die of stress quick. Good luck.
How sad that he was injured , but I am glad he was found by someone like you ! Hope he heals well
I would think he'd fight you. He (?) must know you want to help.
Good luck with your rehabing efforts. I'd be clueless with an owl. It sure is pretty though.
Poor owl baby! Much luck with him. For you or anyone who needs help with wild animal rescue I highly recommend Care of the Wild Feathered & Furred by Mae Hickman. (If you can find it, I think it's out of print.) I keep two copies on hand just in case I need to lend one out.
http//critterproject.blogspot.com
Wow it is so pretty. I thought they would bite or claw or something. Hope it gets better quick. Pretty bird.
You might try contacting Best Friends in Kanab, Utah. They have a wildlife bird veterinarian on staff who might be able to give you some advise on how and what to feed it if you are still concerned.
I love owls! It makes me so sad when our lifestyles get in the way of wild animals. I sincerely hope he is able to recover, but if not at least he'll pass on without being harrassed by preditors. I'm sure you'll keep us posted on his progress. What a beautiful animal!
Very cool bird! Good luck with him.
Oh WOW!!! how lucky you are to have a fantastic house guest, hope he gets better soon and learns to keep away from the wire..:-))
What a special boy (or girl?). Jingles to a swift recovery.
He must know you are it's lifeline ,it is so calm looking. I would have thought it would fight you.He ? She is beautiful and I think it knows how lucky it is to have you guys on it's side.
OMG! (s)he's beautiful! i love owls!!! I found and caught an injured long-eared owl once, and took it in to a rehab place... but he was too badly injured to be patched up.
: (
on the other hand, I've surveyed and helped band spotted owls -
i love them!!!
hope this one recovers!
- The Equestrian Vagabond
Oooh so beautiful! How cool that you were able to rescue it. Darn barbed wire! I've volunteered for Hawk Watch International many years ago and we would often capture and tag all sorts of raptors including owls. I love 'em. They have the most expressive, curious eyes....like windows to the soul.
I posted about the little hawk we rescued from our bird netting last summer, but it wasn't injured at all...just it's toes were stuck and we caught it before it had done too much damage by twisting around.
I'm glad you were able to help this lovely creature. Your hubby has a big soft heart. aww.
~Lisa
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