If you read this post, you know that Steve and I, led with confidence by our friend Dee Bradshaw, rescued a Great Horned Owl (now named Kevin) on a recent hike in the Tiger Bay State Forest.
As we neared the end of our hike (we could literally see the end of the trail!), we saw something sitting in a shady spot right in the middle of the trail. Was it bobcat? Was it a large bird? Was it a stump? As we moved closer, the something stood up and looked at us and we realized it was an owl…behaving very oddly.
Steve has earned the nickname The Owl Whisperer because of his affinity for screech owls, and I could tell that he immediately fell in love with this bird. Steve was hooting softly to his new friend as we tried to decide what to do. We had nothing with which we could help this bird – its talons were too strong and it was large – even Steve’s shirt would not have been sufficient. Also, we had no knowledge of where to take the bird in Volusia County. We were simply unprepared. So this next part will sound stupid and I’m sorry for that (but we are quick learners and already have a plan for next time something like this happens), but here goes: we told the bird that if it wanted our help, it could just follow us. And then I prayed out loud for a miracle that the bird would follow us or we would be presented with options. The owl stayed put and no angels appeared. We walked back to the car as slowly as we could (just in case the owl changed its mind), looked for a blanket or towel, and finding none, headed home. On our way out, Steve went to say goodbye to the owl and I threw a post up on Facebook.
By the time we got home, my Facebook peeps had provided multiple suggestions of how to proceed and then, one response from Dee, someone I know to be an experienced wildlife rescuer. As I was typing a response to her, she CALLED me! So here was the option we needed! I drove to Dee’s and we headed back to Tiger Bay (Steve had appointments and could not join us). We parked at the end of the trail with an animal transport cage, a bowl and a bottle of water, and a can of stinky, stinky cat food. Oh, and gloves and bandages – I mean, have you ever seen an owl’s talons? It’s not the beak that’s going to hurt…it’s those birdy toes!
We walked the short distance to where Steve and I had left the bird. Couldn’t find it anywhere. Backtracked down the trail in case it had moved farther than I thought possible, given its condition, and still did not see it. Then we noticed a downy woodpecker, one of the smallest woodpeckers, pecking at a vine on the side of a tree. It was odd, because it was swinging wildly but this determined little bird was peck-peck-pecking away at the vine! Dee walked a bit closer for a better look and the woodpecker flew away, but then she caught sight of the owl. She offered food and water but the bird was uninterested – not an encouraging sign. She was easily able to wrap it up and get it into the cage, where it promptly stood up and looked around, with BOTH eyes! An encouraging sign. So…cautiously optimistic, we loaded it up and headed for home.
Dee has contacts in the rescue kingdom, including the vet that serves raptor patients at Avian Reconditioning Center. She arranged to transport the owl (now named Kevin) to ARC so that it can be examined by the vet tomorrow. In the meantime, ARC has confirmed that the owl is a Great Horned Owl, and not injured but terribly emaciated – it probably has some sort of parasite. The eye injury was caused by biting insects.
Update: Kevin did not survive. While we are sad, we know we did what we could, and we are grateful to the Avisn Reci dirioning Center for the care he received there.
IF YOU FIND AN ANIMAL THAT NEEDS ASSISTANCE, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission may be able to provide guidance on what to do. You can reach them at 888-404-3922. If are in Central Florida and find an injured bird, please call Avian Reconditioning Center at 407-461-1056. They are currently closed due to coronavirus and are only on site from 9:30 – 1:30 Monday-Friday and 9:30-4:30 on Saturdays. If they do not answer, please leave a message and they will return your call as soon as possible. They are a small volunteer organization and do not have the staffing to go out for rescues. If you can get the bird to them, they are happy to do whatever they can to make it well, and return it to the wild.
I need help with a baby great horned owl that fell from the nest
Unfortunately, I cannot help. Where are you located?