From Wild Skies Raptor Center

This summer, on August 4th, we received a beautiful Western Screech 0wl found in Lincoln, MT. This petite predator was found lying under the property owner’s fence with a pelvic fracture caused by colliding with that fence. When we went out there to release her, the fence was seen to be pretty discreet, which explains how this occurred. On October 17th, after over two months of TLC, we released this diminutive yet deadly bird back into the wild!

Fence collisions are another frequent cause of trauma we see that can also be prevented by the help of the people who maintain them. Just like window collisions, sometimes our avian friends are unable to see these obstacles and end up caught or injured by them. Highlighting your fences so they are more visible such as with bright colored markers (i.e. ribbons) can help reduce these incidences. Doing this even in intervals throughout the fencing, especially in areas frequented more by birds such as near their preferred tree species or hunting grounds, can make the world of difference for a little bird such as this Screech Owl!

Original pictures were a bit dark, so I brightened them up. I’ll give you both.

  • anon6789OP
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    122 days ago

    Got these pictures from an update post before I got to share this. It’s getting some dinner here.

    • anon6789OP
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      72 days ago

      Clutching her talons in a gesture like how she would like to clutch the world in her grasp…

      • SendPicsofSandwiches
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        2 days ago

        “I WILL PINCH YOU WITH THIS TALON! AND THEN THE WORLD!!!” I imagine this in Izma’s voice from emperor’s new groove

        • anon6789OP
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          52 days ago

          Ooo, her lashes would look great on this owl!

          “You really should have thought about that before you became peasants!”

      • anon6789OP
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        31 day ago

        You and me both! It never stops amazing me how well they can just blend into their surroundings.

        Adorable little ninjas 🥰

  • Optional
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    42 days ago

    Screechie Gang Represent

    • anon6789OP
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      42 days ago

      If there’s someone out there that doesn’t enjoy a Screech Owl, I don’t want to meet them! They’re a real crowd pleaser!

      • Mbourgon everywhere
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        32 days ago

        “If you got a problem with Screech Owls then you got a problem with me and I suggest you let that one marinate”

    • anon6789OP
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      82 days ago

      Yeahhhhh… 🥺

      I had originally planned on doing something fun today here, but I reconsidered. With people stressed out, I thought I’d save it until a little later so people can enjoy it with hopefully less distraction and anxiety.

      On the plus side, I’m in Pennsylvania and have cast my vote, so I’ve done what I can…

      • @[email protected]
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        52 days ago

        Yeah, sorry to bring politics into your non political and thoughtful post… That picture just reminded me of what I’m sure my mom looks like right now watching the news all day lol

        • anon6789OP
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          52 days ago

          No worries! Well, on your comment. Lots of election worries 😅

          One way or the other, it will be over soon enough, and we make the best of what we have. If you are too young to vote this year, I hope you will participate when you get the chance. If we don’t speak up for ourselves, despite the small voice we may be given, then we can’t blame others if we don’t get what we wanted. Every change has started with one person caring about something and doing something about it.