Great Horned Owl

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Great Horned Owl

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Contact Information
Contact Carolina Giraldo

Country: USA

Species: Great Horned Owl

Is rehabilitation complete?: yes

This animal has potential as a :

off-site education animal
static display animal

This animal is: captive reared

Age: 5 years old

Reason for entering rehabilitation.:

Fell from the nest. Eye injury.

Days in care: 1750

Issues developed while undergoing rehabilitation.:

This owl was transferred to an educational facility within the first year of life. Once the owl showed signs of imprinting and recovered from his injuries, he was released to the care of an educational facility. He has been housed there for 4 years.

Body condition score (5 point scale as defined on https://nagonline.net/3877/body-condition-scoring/): 3

Can the animal express species-typical behaviors (e.g. eat appropriate whole foods, climb, perch, groom, dig, fly, swim, ambulate normally for species)?:

During the breeding season this owl has a history of feather chewing. He is currently housed in an area with other wild great horned owls, which seems to increase this behavior. During this time, he is given ramps and stumps to ambulate around his mew. When breeding season is over, feathers grow back in and he can fly very well. This animal engages in enrichment, and has a history of positive reinforcement training including coming to scale and shifting.

Can the animal be handled without negative welfare affects?: yes

This is how the animal currently reacts when a frequent caregiver nears it (e.g. does it modify behavior, show signs of fear, agonism, habituation):

Hoots, moves towards caregivers.

This is how the animal currently reacts when a stranger nears it (e.g. does it modify behavior, show signs of fear, agonism, habituation):

With distance he tends to ignore those looking at him. If close, he will fly to his box or just sit quietly.

This animal is currently house : alone

Will the animal need continuous medical care (e.g. medication)?: yes

Physical health welfare assessment: life worth living

Mental/emotional health welfare assessment: life worth living

More Information

Unsure. We are looking for a more urban environment without wild great horned owls around. The wild owl population in his current environment seems to increase his feather chewing. He currently has a hormone implant put into place every 4 months, and is on gabapentin and amitriptyline to decrease stress and manage his feather chewing. Recent vet visit rated him in good physical health, with small cataracts forming. Vet in not concerned about these impacting his quality of life or training.

Very positive interactions with staff and visitors. Needs a less active environment with less wild conspecifics.

Additional medical information provided upon request. Interested parties MUST hold appropriate permits and complete a placement application.