Baby Great Horned Owls Found on a Soccer Field Rescued

Two fluffy baby great horned owls are getting a second chance. The pair were found on a soccer field in central California and brought to the Stanislaus Wildlife Care Center for care. According to Popular Science, the owlets are just four to five weeks old.

Great horned owls often leave the nest before they can fly. Parents typically continue caring for them on the ground, which works fine in protected areas. But a busy soccer field is a very different story. Fortunately, neither bird arrived with injuries. Still, a checkup was in order.

The team performed what is called a hands off exam. Rather than handling the birds right away, vets observe how they stand, move, and respond to their surroundings. One owlet stood upright while the other was hock sitting, resting back on its legs. That is completely normal behavior for owls this young. Both birds snapped their beaks and spread their wings in threat displays, which is a great sign. It means they are alert and feeling well.

Eye health matters too. A little cloudiness in the eyes is normal for young great horned owls, as is blinking by lowering the upper eyelids. Both are typical signs of healthy development.

Great horned owls are among North America’s largest owl species, typically weighing between 2.5 and 4.5 pounds. Baby great horned owls are also the first young wildlife this center receives every year, since owl pairs begin courting in November and eggs hatch in March or April. Once these two can fly, they will move to a large aviary to build strength before release.

If you spot baby owls on the ground and they look healthy, leave them alone. If a bird looks sick or injured, contact your local wildlife rescue center right away.

These little birds are a reminder of the incredible wildlife sharing our planet. Let’s do our part to protect the environment they call home.

Video Source: Popular Science Podcasts/Youtube

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