Editor’s Note: The barred 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.
The owl appears to have sustained head trauma, resulting in suspected blindness.
There are two main types of blindness: peripheral and central. Peripheral blindness occurs when there’s direct damage to the eyes and retina, and it’s often permanent. Central blindness, on the other hand, occurs when trauma prevents the brain from properly processing visual information. Head trauma can result in brain swelling, which may subsequently lead to central blindness.
A consultation with a veterinary ophthalmologist confirmed that the owl’s eyes were normal, with no evidence of ocular or retinal damage. This supports a diagnosis of central rather than peripheral blindness. Another similar CROW case of a previous barred owl patient with suspected temporary central blindness began recovering its eyesight after about 10 days in care.
Encouragingly, the owl is now gradually responding to visual stimuli and exhibiting gradual improvement in its vision; the cerebral swelling is resolving. CROW will continue to assess and treat the animal’s vision to determine whether it is releasable. The ophthalmologist confirmed there was no damage to the owl’s eyes; therefore, CROW’s staff will continue to provide supportive care and monitor the owl’s progress.
Barred owls are one of five protected resident owl species native to Florida and are commonly found in mature forests near water. Their presence is an important indicator of biodiversity in a healthy ecosystem. Biodiversity, the variety of life within an ecosystem, plays a critical role in ecological health, supporting resilient wildlife populations and balanced natural systems. As opportunistic predators, barred owls feed on a wide variety of prey, including small mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
The great horned owl, the largest owl native to Florida, preys on these smaller barred owls. Fortunately, barred owls are not endangered and have expanded their range since the late 1960s. As habitat preservation and conservation continue, it is encouraging to see wildlife populations thrive as a direct result of community efforts.