Last night we admitted this incredible Long-eared Owl after he flew into a window. He’s currently stable and resting, but he’s holding one wing a bit abnormally, so we are hoping to get him into our veterinarian for x-rays to rule out fractures or other injuries.
Long-eared Owls are one of the more secretive owl species in Ohio and are rarely seen, which makes this patient especially unique. Despite their tall “ears,” those tufts aren’t actually ears at all, they’re feather structures used for camouflage and communication. Their real ears are hidden on the sides of their head and are asymmetrically placed, helping them pinpoint prey with incredible accuracy, even in total darkness.
These owls prefer dense conifer stands and roost quietly during the day, often blending in so well that you could walk right past one and never notice. Because they’re so cryptic, injuries like window strikes can easily go unseen unless someone happens to witness it.
We’re grateful to the kind people who made sure this owl got help quickly! Fast rescue can be the difference between life and death for wildlife.
Keep this guy in your thoughts!
With those eyes (and ears!), and peeping in all those windows after dark, probably more than anyone should ever know! 😅