provided to The Santiva Chronicle
Eastern Screech Owls are small, nocturnal birds of prey found across eastern North America. Despite their name, this owl doesn’t “screech,” but it produces an eerie, soft trill that adds a ghostly charm to its nighttime habitats. Eastern screech owls are highly adaptable and thrive in diverse environments, from woodlands to suburban areas, often making use of old woodpecker holes or tree cavities as nesting spots. These small but resilient owls are skilled hunters, preying on insects, small mammals, and occasionally other birds, using their exceptional camouflage to stay hidden during the day.
Eastern screech owl (24-2211) was admitted after withstanding serious injury to the left eye. The owl was bright and alert on arrival but had moderate dehydration. Staff suspected the eye injury was likely due to trauma. Fortunately, the owl’s right eye appeared unaffected. The patient was quickly stabilized with fluids and medication for pain and inflammation.
After a thorough examination, CROW’s team decided the best course of action was to perform surgery to remove the injured eye to prevent further complications. During surgery, the team carefully removed the damaged eye tissue and closed the site, ensuring the owl would still be able to navigate safely with one eye once fully healed. Post-surgery, the owl was kept under close watch, receiving daily medications to manage pain and inflammation.
Eastern Screech Owls can adapt remarkably well to life with only one eye. While losing an eye may initially seem like a severe disadvantage, these owls rely heavily on their other strong senses for survival. For instance, their exceptional hearing allows them to detect prey even in complete darkness, compensating for any loss in depth perception caused by monocular vision. Additionally, their remaining eye can adjust its field of view to help maintain balance and spatial awareness.
As the owl continues to recover, the CROW team will monitor the surgical site and gradually reduce its pain medication, with plans to transfer the patient to an outdoor enclosure to finish out their rehabilitation process here at CROW. Thanks to swift and expert care, this determined screech owl is on track to make a strong recovery and return to the wild.
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