by Anna Autilio,
Environmental Educator
and Grae O’Toole, Wildlife Keeper
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The screech owl could barely open his eyes at first. |
Early
in the new year, a tiny treasure arrived at the Center for Wild Bird
Rehabilitation—a beautiful Eastern Screech Owl in need of some serious care.
The
bird was found in Orwell, VT, over 65 miles from VINS, but the family who found
him knew he needed medical attention. They suspected he had flown into the side
of their house, which is a sadly common cause of bird injuries. They often
cannot tell a clean glass window from safe passage through their forest
home, and end up colliding with it.
On
intake to the rehabilitation clinic, our wildlife keepers found the owl was
quite dehydrated and lethargic, but in good body condition and a
healthy weight (over 200g!). Beyond this, he clearly had severe head trauma.
His eyes were closed and he was reluctant to open them, but both pupils were
responsive to light--a sign that he could still use them.
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A fluorescein stain shows the eye ulcer (green patch). |
To
see if there was any further damage to the eye, the rehabbers conducted a
fluorescein stain, a test which allowed us to see the starts of several ulcers
which could impair the owl’s vision. The owl was given eye drops and pain
medication, and injected with fluids to help re-hydrate him. A blood sample
showed he was otherwise healthy, so the “focus” of his treatment became his
eyes!
After
2 days, the little owl was eating all on his own. On his one-week anniversary in
the clinic, his eyes were stained again, this time revealing one of the ulcers
in his right eye had gotten much larger. This was a bit of a setback, so the
eyes drops and pain meds continued.
But,
only for another week. A third stain showed that the ulcer had completely
resolved! In the meantime, the owl was eating well, his eyes were more open,
and he was active and alert. Finally, it was time to move the screech owl to an
outdoor enclosure.
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Ready for his live prey test! |
The
Eastern Screech Owl is now awaiting the chance to take his final test as a
patient at VINS—the live prey test. This involves releasing a live mouse into
the enclosure with the owl, and waiting to see if he can capture it. This is a
very important part of the rehabilitation process for raptors that have suffered
severe head or eye trauma, because their vision or mental state could still be
impaired enough that they are unable to capture prey on their own. Without the
ability to hunt for itself, the owl would starve.
If
he catches the mouse, he passes the test, and will be released back into the
wild shortly afterward. We hope to release him near where he was initially
found, so that he can settle back into his own home
territory.
Curious
about our other owl patients at the Center for Wild Bird Rehabilitation? Join
us on Saturday, February 24th or Sunday February 25th,
2018 for VINS’s Owl Festival! Register for the event here.