From The Raptor Center

Once a baby raptor is treated at TRC’s hospital and medically cleared for release, we aim to reunite them ASAP with their families in their home nests. Unfortunately, this isn’t always possible. So TRC staff and volunteers are always keeping an eye out for other nests that may provide successful fostering opportunities.

If a baby needs to remain in care at our raptor hospital beyond 48 hours and there is no sibling left “holding” the home nest, the parents may abandon it. But all is not lost! Young raptors can also be placed into foster families that already have a chick of about the same age. The adult owls will care for it as one of their own.

On March 23, we admitted a sibling pair of 4-5 week- old great horned owls from Northern lowa. Their nest had blown down in a storm, and no foster nests were available locally. The babies were found to be healthy, although one had unusually dark brown eyes instead of yellow eyes. Dr. Dana explained, “The bird never had any inflammation or discomfort or signs of visual compromise. It may have been a genetic difference or perhaps some trauma that was mostly resolved by the time the chick came to us.”

On April 15, after their few weeks in care at TRC’s raptor hospital, a site was found where both siblings could be fostered together, and this pair of owl babies from lowa got their second chance at life in a nest in Minnesota.

These photos show the great horned owl siblings upon admission to our hospital, comparing their eye color, and the two chicks perched together while in our care.