For owls that are superb.
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.
From A Place Called Hope
This sweet baby Eastern Screech Owl was delivered to the Torrington PD after being dropped by a hawk. The baby's origin is unknown, but he is safe and has no real injuries!! So lucky and so cute.
Just a reminder to always make note of the location you pick up injured wildlife for the ultimate goal of return. It's not always possible, like in this scenario, but when it is, it helps us to do the best for recovered patients.
From ARC
Foot health is crucial for raptors, as their feet and talons are their primary tools for catching and disabling prey. Consequently, foot injuries are not uncommon among raptors admitted for rehabilitation. However, what you see in the first picture is exceptionally rare: a young great horned owl with webbed toes. We were very surprised when we first noticed this owl's condition. Over the years, we have encountered hundreds of great horned owls, none of which displayed webbing between the toes, a condition known as syndactyly.
This owlet, whom we nicknamed Webster, had webbing on both feet, connecting the third and fourth digits. Owls possess semi-zygodactyl feet and can rotate their fourth digit, which aids in grasping. However, due to the fusion with his third toe, Webster was unable to rotate his fourth digit. It quickly became apparent that he was struggling with normal foot placement during perching.
After careful examination by our veterinarian, it was determined that Webster could undergo surgery to separate the digits (second picture). Following a successful surgery and recovery period, Webster was placed in a flight enclosure where he was able to perch and use his feet normally. After spending some time strengthening his wings and feet, Webster proved he was capable of release! The last picture shows Webster before his release later that night.
From MNDOT
Sometimes "sharing the road" includes the natural space around it! MnDOT is collaborating with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' Nongame Wildlife Program and a landowner in southwest Minnesota to protect a rare pair of burrowing owls. We've adjusted our mowing patterns, and DNR will continue to monitor the burrow to make sure it's not disturbed.
Here's more info on efforts to protect Burrowing Owls in MN.
These owls are amazing looking! I love Dusky Eagle Owls! 🥰
From Zuhairi Avian
Up close and personal with the majestic Dusky Eagle Owl, a true marvel of nature's artistry. Its piercing yellow eyes and intricate feather patterns make it a captivating sight in the wild.
May 2025 | Nikon D500
Malaysia, Tanjung Karang |
Nikkor AF-S 600mm | Editing LR | DoP 260525
From Frank Rodin
Eastern Screech Owl. Sarnia, Canada.
Not sure if you all will enjoy this one or not, but it's got me picturing a giant owl emerging from a crater, possibly to fight or team up with Godzilla. 😁
From Dave Vanden Heuvel
Soaking wet barred owlet. Hopefully monsoon season is over now. May 2025 - NE Wisconsin
From Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education
Knock knock... Hoo's there?? Great-Horned Owl 25-471!
The Wildlife Clinic at the Schuylkill Center admitted a fledgling Great-Horned Owl in need of help. The young owl was spotted on a golf course where he was lethargic and not moving. The bird was safely captured and brought to our center for evaluation.
In collaboration with Dr. James Cortell from Radnor Veterinary Hospital, we were able to determine that the owl had sustained a break to his ulna. However, the injury was fairly old and had mostly repaired itself already. Thankfully, the bone healed properly and in the right place. However, the joint had become stiff and was not able to extend to its full length.
Our team began a physical therapy regimen with 25-471, which consisted of daily stretches to help the joint return to its full range of motion. So far, he has made amazing progress and we hope that he can begin flight practice soon!
Great Horned owl with nictitating membrane covering its eyes as it prepares its recently caught prey.
From Andrew Marshall
So: Just how "little" is a Little owl ? Well smaller than a worm anyway!!
Male Little owl (Athene noctua) with a medium to large earthworm he brought in and delivered to his little Little owlets! #spaghettinight
From James C Sengul
A recently fledged Eastern Screech-Owlet is trying to adapt to its environment / May 20 2025
Photography by James C SENGUL
Sony A1 / Sony 600MM F4 GM
I feel you, little buddy.... 😔
From Chetan Kher
It is my first year photographing owlets, so I wasn't aware of many breeding/nesting locations. I found this location because one of my good friends told me about it. So, I thought of trying my luck. When I reached to the location, I was very pleased to see two owlets perched high on trees. When I was about to photograph the two owlets, I saw something falling on the ground from another tree. Before I can find out what it was, someone on the other side of trail shouted, "Baby Owl". I instantly realized there is another owlet which I haven't seen yet. I quickly went to the other side and saw this owlet on the ground looking up towards the mom asking for help.
For next several minutes, it kept trying to fly/hop back on to different trees and kept falling on the ground. It was just amazing to see the sheer perseverance of this little owlet. I was later told that this kind of action don't happen every day and I was fortunate to see something like this.
Barred Owlet
From Ashwini B
Brown Fish Owl
Eyes like fire, wings like shadow. The silent ruler of the night...
Ranthambore.... India
From Ross Merrigan
Beautiful Screech Owl chick at sunset.
I love the wavey and rippling patterns on the young Screeches.
From Mugunthan Mug
Some animals have this look where it feels like they are looking straight into you. In my case, there is nothing there so it is probably looking through me.
A great grey owl, the largest owl by length.
Somewhere in Washington.
From Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife
Check out the winners below, and there are 8 more honorable mention winners at the non-social.media hosted link above!
Adult Winners:
1st Place – Conrad Peloquin
2nd Place – Damon Bell
3rd Place – Robert K. Brinley
Youth Winners:
1st Place – Adalynn Miller
2nd Place – August Lambert
3rd Place – Josh Pilon
Some owls do a synchronous tail molt, where they loose all 12 of their tail feathers within a very short time period so they have no tail at all for a while. That's what Pierce the Barred Owl just did, losing at least four tail feathers yesterday alone.
Barred Owl tail feathers aren't as stiff and sturdy as, for example, Great Horned Owl tail feathers. An unsupported feather growing in can easily break. If they all grow in together, they support each other.
From Wild Eye Wanderer
Pair of Mottled Wood Owl
Kumbhargaon, Maharashtra |
Feb'25
Bonus pic!
From Vishal Lokare
Two souls, one perch-honoring the power of togetherness
Shot on Nikon Z8 with 200-500 mm
Pune Maharashtra India
Feb 2025
From Dave Vanden Heuvel
Barred Owlet emerging from the cramped nest hole a few weeks ago and getting a good stretch in. May 2025 - NE Wisconsin
From Torrington Animal Control
"Whooo whooo?" That's what we're wondering too little buddy!
A good Samaritan witnessed this sweet owl get dropped by a hawk and quickly scooped it up to avoid it getting any further injuries. THANK YOU!!! It will be heading off to A Place Called Hope for care.
Unfortunately, this individual did not leave his contact information behind and we would love to know where exactly he found this baby. Rehabbers often try to return wildlife to their family and/or original territory after successful rehabilitation. If you were this baby's knight in shining armor, can you give us a ring?
People want to be on their way quickly, but we try to get animals back to where they belong for their best chance at success, especially the babies like this that really do best with their parents!
For the best results for you and the animals, if you have the chance to call or talk to us when you drop off an animal, it's a big help or can save you time if we need to send you to a different group to help your specific animal!
