My daughter in law called me this morning and said she was at the park and there was an injured baby owl. So I grabbed Hyia from her friend's and headed that way. We weren't sure which trail she was on so we split up, found her, saw the baby owl which was bigger than I was expecting, but still very much a fledling, and from the amount of flies I figured it was injured too. Put it in a box. Raced to the vet here that takes wild life. The vet examined it, said there was some injury above the eyes and beak probably when it fell or was snatched out of the nest. He said it should go back where it was, but this is a very public park, the trails are where half the northland walk their dogs, and kids, and it was in the sidewalk not safe at all. So he said it sounded like it wasn't a safe place, so he is going to take it on to the Nature Sanctuary by the zoo. He said he had experience with raptors. He is an AWESOME vet and I love that this is available out here. I have only had to access them once before with a hurt male cardinal. I made him a map of where I found it, and gave my info. Got Hyia's hoodie back that I had dropped over it and bunched up below to pick it up and put it in the box. I finally got a good look at it while the vet held it. I didn't take time when we found it, and we didnt' open the box until it was handed over to not give it anymore of a scare so no pics.
Not every day you get to see a fledling great horned owl baby. About as tall as my shoe if it is stood on end. THe tail feathers were only about an inch long, and not much for wings yet. Just a huge ball of fuzz with big big yellow eyes. It clicked at us in the box, but stayed quiet and didn't struggle. So happy ending, I love happy endings. Good luck to you owl. I know you couldn't be in better hands. Two thumbs up for my daughter in law seeing it and keeping it safe until we could get there. THat is our excitement for today.
Not every day you get to see a fledling great horned owl baby. About as tall as my shoe if it is stood on end. THe tail feathers were only about an inch long, and not much for wings yet. Just a huge ball of fuzz with big big yellow eyes. It clicked at us in the box, but stayed quiet and didn't struggle. So happy ending, I love happy endings. Good luck to you owl. I know you couldn't be in better hands. Two thumbs up for my daughter in law seeing it and keeping it safe until we could get there. THat is our excitement for today.
