A Parliament of Owls

It's been a busy baby raptor season at the Wildlife Center this summer.  In addition to the Norfolk Botanical Garden eaglets, the Wildlife Center is also caring for four other young Bald Eagles, three young Red-shouldered Hawks, two Broad-winged hawk chicks, a fledgling Red-tailed Hawk ... and seven orphaned Eastern Screech-Owls.  As you can imagine, there are many rats and mice on the menu these days! The "parliament" of owls consists of two pairs of siblings, and three single owls.  Most of these birds were believed to be orphaned and will be at the Center until they are old enough to be released.  At this point, all of the young owls are in outdoor flight pens specially designed for smaller raptors.  Nearly all are being exercised daily and one has even started live prey schooling -- an essential part of the rehabilitation process for any young hunter.  Members of this parliament include: #11-0506 & 507:  Found in Roanoke County, Virginia and admitted to the WCV on April 28.  These two siblings are exercised daily and are flying very well.  In early July, the owls were split up into different enclosures so that they could begin live prey school -- the fine art of catching mice and learning to hunt for themselves.  Once they have successfully "passed", both will be returned to their origin of rescue for release. #11-0680 & 681:  Found in Montgomery County, Virginia and admitted to the Wildlife Center on May 12.  Both siblings are flying well and will begin live prey schooling once 506 & 507 have "graduated".   #11-0897:  This owl was admitted to the Wildlife Center on May 21 from Roanoke.  The young bird was found under a tree, though no nest was spotted in the area.  The owl is flying well, though still needs a bit more time to practice. #11-0917:  Admitted to the WCV on May 23, this fledgling owl was found by the side of the road in Pulaski County.  Veterinarians suspect that the young bird was hit by a car, due to the retinal scarring in both of its eyes.  This owl will need to remain at the Wildlife Center for a few more months while it receives regularly ophthalmic examinations.  In the meantime, the owl is exercised regularly and is being housed with #11-0897. #11-1536:  Found in the road in Roanoke, this owl was admitted on July 1.  No injuries were found on this juvenile bird's physical examination, though it does have parasites.  Once all parasites have been treated, the owl will likely be introduced to others of the same age. If all goes well, most of these Eastern Screech-Owls should be released back to the wild by August.  Your donation will help feed and care for patients like these owls  … and more than 40 other birds of prey that the Center is currently caring for.