this post was submitted on 04 Nov 2023
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Superbowl

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For owls that are superb.

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US Wild Animal Rescue Database: Animal Help Now

International Wildlife Rescues: RescueShelter.com

Australia Rescue Help: WIRES

Germany-Austria-Switzerland-Italy Wild Bird Rescue: wildvogelhilfe.org

If you find an injured owl:

Note your exact location so the owl can be released back where it came from. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitation specialist to get correct advice and immediate assistance.

Minimize stress for the owl. If you can catch it, toss a towel or sweater over it and get it in a cardboard box or pet carrier. It should have room to be comfortable but not so much it can panic and injure itself. If you can’t catch it, keep people and animals away until help can come.

Do not give food or water! If you feed them the wrong thing or give them water improperly, you can accidentally kill them. It can also cause problems if they require anesthesia once help arrives, complicating procedures and costing valuable time.

If it is a baby owl, and it looks safe and uninjured, leave it be. Time on the ground is part of their growing up. They can fly to some extent and climb trees. If animals or people are nearby, put it up on a branch so it’s safe. If it’s injured, follow the above advice.

For more detailed help, see the OwlPages Rescue page.

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The Northern Hawk Owl was popular in the other thread today, so I thought I'd give you some more.

Perch hunting lets owls use their sight and hearing to find food. This saves a lot of energy, and also body heat when it is cold.

Owl hears a vole hidden under the snow. Asymmetrical ears help them locate prey precisely, even when it is hidden. Owl launches into a dive.

Victory goes to the owl!

Photos by David Burt

More owls and other animals on his Flickr.

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[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 14 points 2 years ago
[–] scetron@lemm.ee 13 points 2 years ago (1 children)

These are awesome pictures, but I’m getting strong ‘rest of the owl’ vibes from this.

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 10 points 2 years ago (1 children)

If you want the whole thing, I can certainly provide it! Not the same owl, but a reasonable facsimile.

I generally don't put prey stuff up for people that don't want to see it. They are adorable to us, but to most other living things, owls are a vicious apex predator. Even animals that don't get messed with by anyone like skunks and porcupines actively avoid owls specifically. Heck, owls will even kill other owls.

Beautifully shot video though, so check it out if you want to see the Hawk Owl get takeout.

CONTENT WARNING: Hawk Owl catching and eating a live rodent

Hawk Owl Hunting

[–] scetron@lemm.ee 3 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Many thanks for this enlightening video.

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago

Of course! I'm all for learning about all the gory details, since it's part of the whole package. I just want to keep it fun and upbeat for everybody.

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 11 points 2 years ago
[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 10 points 2 years ago
[–] tetris11@lemmy.ml 7 points 2 years ago (2 children)

Step 1. Be vertical
Step 2. Do not be not vertical
Step 3. ??
Step 4. Profit

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago

I put Step 3 in another reply if you want to see it.

Some people might not like that part, so I left it out.

[–] Maruki_Hurakami@lemm.ee 6 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I love the second picture. So cool!

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 6 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

Yes! The one of it all puffed up was the one I originally clicked on, but then when I saw him looking like he fell out of the tree, I knew it was one I had to post!

I like the hawk owls. They have the head of the Pygmy and burrow owls, but the body of the larger owls. Best of both worlds 😄

[–] ignotum@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Could you please provide some more details? Somewhere between step 2 and 3 i hit the ground head first, i assume there's something i'm missing

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 4 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

It puts its feet out is pretty much all you miss. You don't see much because it's under the snow.

CONTENT WARNING: Hawk Owl catching and eating a live rodent

Hawk Owl Hunting