Editor’s Note: The Great Horned 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.
Two great horned owls (25-4768, 25-4769) were brought into the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) at the beginning of December.
They were found grounded at a construction site, covered in mud and concrete dust. Both birds had some bruising and skin irritation around their nares and mouth. After the initial exams, each bird was bathed to clean off the mud. They were given subcutaneous fluids for their mild dehydration, and their scrapes were cleaned and treated with a topical antiseptic ointment.
One of the owls (25-4769) had a moderate amount of what was suspected to be either cement or mud in its nasal cavity, so it received follow-up nasal flushes.
Blood was collected from each owl to perform lab tests and identify any underlying issues. While one owl’s blood showed no significant findings, the other (25-4769) did show possible signs of infection, such as lower-than-normal white blood cells and lymphocytes. This owl was started on antibiotics to treat a possible infection, most likely from inhalation of mud or cement.
Both animals have done well in care. Patient 25-4768 was released this week, and we expect that the other will be cleared within the next few weeks. Great horned owls, scientifically known as Bubo virginianus, are typical owls that can hunt a wide variety of animals, including rodents, rabbits, birds, reptiles, and even skunks.
Great horned owls play a crucial role as apex predators in maintaining ecosystem health. However, these majestic creatures face several challenges, such as habitat loss, vehicle collisions, electrocution, and pesticide poisoning. We can help owls by providing suitable habitats, educating about their ecological importance, using wildlife-friendly fencing, minimizing window collisions with decals, and opting for non-toxic pest control methods.
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