Editor’s Note: The adult burrowing owl is part of the CROW CAW (Case A Week) series, which tells the stories of the patients at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife on Sanibel Island, the dangers they face, and how we can help protect all of our wildlife. Read previous cases here.
An adult burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) was found in Cape Coral, immobile and unable to fly. On examination at CROW, the owl (patient 26-446) presented with a severe wing droop with no swelling or obvious external wounds. Radiographs were unremarkable, indicating no fractures or other skeletal abnormalities.
Based on these findings, the veterinary team suspects a soft tissue injury, although the exact cause of the trauma remains unknown. A body wrap was placed to help stabilize the wing during healing. On recheck examinations, the wing droop has shown noticeable improvement. The owl is now demonstrating low flights. If progress continues, the patient will soon be moved to an outdoor flight enclosure to rebuild strength further and prepare for eventual release back into the wild.
Weighing just a few ounces and standing less than a foot tall, burrowing owls are one of the smallest species of owl native to Florida. Some dig their own burrows, while others steal burrows from gopher tortoises or other old burrows. The male often stands guard outside the nest while the female tends the eggs. They are diurnal, which means they hunt insects and other small vertebrates during the day, so they are commonly seen, especially on Marco Island and Cape Coral.
Cape Coral is home to Florida’s largest population of burrowing owls, the only owl species that nests underground. These owls and their burrows are protected by the state, since they were added to the Threatened Species list in 2017. Many populations have disappeared from parts of their former range due to habitat loss; however, the most common injuries involving burrowing owls brought to CROW are human interactions, such as being hit by a car or attacked by a dog or cat.
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