From Iowa Raptor Project
Aldo the Barred Owl taking in as much summer sun as possible.
this post was submitted on 20 Aug 2025
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For owls that are superb.
Also visit our twinned community for wholesome content:
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US Wild Animal Rescue Database: Animal Help Now
International Wildlife Rescues: RescueShelter.com
Australia Rescue Help: WIRES
Germany-Austria-Switzerland-Italy Wild Bird Rescue: wildvogelhilfe.org
If you find an injured owl:
Note your exact location so the owl can be released back where it came from. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitation specialist to get correct advice and immediate assistance.
Minimize stress for the owl. If you can catch it, toss a towel or sweater over it and get it in a cardboard box or pet carrier. It should have room to be comfortable but not so much it can panic and injure itself. If you can’t catch it, keep people and animals away until help can come.
Do not give food or water! If you feed them the wrong thing or give them water improperly, you can accidentally kill them. It can also cause problems if they require anesthesia once help arrives, complicating procedures and costing valuable time.
If it is a baby owl, and it looks safe and uninjured, leave it be. Time on the ground is part of their growing up. They can fly to some extent and climb trees. If animals or people are nearby, put it up on a branch so it’s safe. If it’s injured, follow the above advice.
For more detailed help, see the OwlPages Rescue page.
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Gettin' that D! Vitamin D of course. Sure knows how to relax!
Birds do need sun to get vitamin D like we do, but it's more roundabout. Their preening oil contains the vitamin precursors, they sit in the sun and it gets converted to actual vitamins, and then when they preen their feathers the next time, they ingest the synthesized vitamin D.
So interesting... You are truly a fountain of knowledge anon! Quenching our ignorance one refreshing fact at a time.
Every time I start to feel I know a lot about owls, I keep finding new things. So I'm still learning every day along with you. Like the stuff in the Boobook thread today. All new to me too!