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For owls that are superb.

Also visit our twinned community for wholesome content: https://lemmy.world/c/[email protected]

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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From BBC

The 18-year-old barn owl was discovered at Eastfield Farm in Hough on the Hill

Bird experts say they have found the oldest barn owl ever recorded in Britain and Ireland.

The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) said the owl, originally ringed as a chick in Nottinghamshire in 2007, was discovered at a farm in Lincolnshire during the organisation's annual barn owl survey.

Not only was the female owl found to be the oldest - beating the previous record of 15 years and seven months - but she was also breeding a six-week-old chick.

A spokesperson for the Barn Owl Trust said the discovery was "incredibly rare" and "great news" for the future of the species.

Barn owl expert Alan Ball said he was amazed by the discovery

Alan Ball has been ringing barn owls for the past 40 years on behalf of the BTO in Lincolnshire and parts of Nottinghamshire.

He told the BBC he paid a visit to Eastfield Farm in Hough on the Hill in June to monitor the barn owls as usual before he realised something "slightly peculiar" about one of the female adult birds.

"I recognised the first few letters on its ring, and remembered that I had recorded this owl some time ago," said the 68-year-old.

"We found out this bird had been recorded in Nottinghamshire on 23 June 2007. The date we'd found it was the 25 June 2025, making it 18 years old.

"Immediately, I knew it was one of the oldest, if not the oldest. I was amazed by the discovery.

"For a barn owl to be alive and breeding at that age is spectacular, and a brilliant sign for their future."

The average lifespan of a barn owl is about four years

Ben Lord looks after the owls on the farm after his grandfather retired 15 years ago, and said the discovery "means a lot" to them.

"My grandfather devoted lots of time on the farm to monitoring the owls and maintaining the boxes they stayed in - he actually built them himself," he said.

"To think that our little farm in Lincolnshire was the place for something like this is great - it puts us on the map."

Barn owls have an average life expectancy of four years, according to the Barn Owl Trust.

Most owls die in the winter time due to food shortages and harsh weather conditions, but conservationists at the trust believe milder winters are causing more of them to survive.

Daniel Whitelegg, an assistant conservationist at the trust, said the owls' increased survival was also down to the work of volunteers.

"These birds have gone from being relatively rare in the country to more common because of volunteers and farms like these checking up on them," he said.

"Only 40% of these owls make it to breeding age, so the fact this one has survived this long and is breeding is exceptional.

"The work of volunteers is so important, and we would love to see more barn owls making it to this age - we are hopeful for the future."

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From BBC

Barn owl conservationists in Sussex say they are worried about a drop in population numbers as they aim to find out what has caused the "worst breeding season in decades".

Volunteers say they have seen fewer than 10 chicks in nest boxes across the county so far this year, a marked decline on previous breeding seasons which had generally seen a recovery in barn owl numbers.

Researchers from the University of Brighton are trying to discover why numbers are so low. They are monitoring what the barn owls eat to help study their habitat.

Terry Hallahan, founder of the Sussex Barn Owl Group, said: "It's the worst year I have ever experienced in the 34 years I have been monitoring barn owls."

Martin Flores putting a ring on a young owl's leg

Each breeding season, trained volunteers check the health of young owls before putting rings on their legs so the birds can be identified.

Over 90% of barn owls in Sussex are now nesting in the 300 bird boxes spread across the county, Mr Hallahan said.

Martin Flores, a licensed bird ringer working with the volunteers, said the team had been sent images of barn owls hunting where they can identify the bird "right down to the individual, which chick they were and what nest they were in".

He added: "That's really positive and helps us start to map the population of barn owls in Sussex."

Volunteers are now teaming up with the University of Brighton to study the barn owl's habitat through owl pellets – the regurgitated remains of their prey which the birds are unable to digest.

Dr Maureen Berg, an ecologist at the university, said that from the pellets researchers can begin to gauge how healthy the habitats are for the barn owls, helping them to spot issues which could be leading to the decline in numbers.

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From Keith Bannister

Angels of the north, long eared owls face to face

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From Chan Kai Soon

Buffy Fish Owl

Perak, Malaysia

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From Paul Bannick

Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus)

A female Snowy Owl falls to the ground after defending herself against a Pomerine Jaeger. As the Jaeger attacks in flight, she somersaults in the air and presents her razor-sharp talons.

Pomarine Jaeger

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From Shravan Sundaram

Awakening - A Western Screech-Owl emerges from a sycamore cavity at sunset to begin the evening hunt.

My anecdotal observation is that sycamores are one of the preferred tree species of Western Screech-Owls along with oaks.

I often think about how these natural cavities must be prime real estate in the natural world. I learned from a friend a while back about an instance where a Northern Saw-whet Owl displaced a Western Screech-Owl from a cavity and I thought that was very interesting. There are probably so many interspecific interactions going on in ecosystems that we don't get to see!

Species: Western Screech-Owl (Megascops kennicottii)

Location: California, USA

Equipment: Canon EOS R3 + RF 100-500mm IS

Settings: 1s, ISO: 640, f/8 @500mm, On Tripod w Remote Release, Electronic Shutter

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From Jeremy Johnson

This Owlet strutted towards me with such swagger even in our 110°+ heat! Burrowing Owls have the best expressions of any bird, in my opinion. They are about the size of a Robin, but with much better legs!

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From Risma Fadila

Just as dusk settled in this Northern Saw-whet owl started its evening hunt.

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From Goutam Das

SPECIES :- Indian Eagle Owl (হুতুম পেঁচা)

DEVICE :- Nikon D7500 with 200-500 mm lens.

DATE :- February 2023.

PLACE :- Purulia, West Bengal.

India is blessed with so many wonderful owl species!

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From Pete Taylor

Just caught this stunning female in the last of the light.

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From Blackland Prairie Raptor Center

When life gives you oil... you get a bath you didn't ask for.

This great horned owl came into our rehab center coated in an unknown oily substance - definitely not part of their natural beauty routine. Our rehab team stepped in for an emergency spa day!

While this owl might look like it's questioning all its life choices, these baths are a critical step in saving wildlife affected by environmental contamination.

Don't worry, once cleaned and dry, this feathered warrior will be on the road to recovery!

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Follow up on this story from earlier

From Raven Ridge Wildlife Center

In early May, we admitted a Great Horned Owl who had found herself in a perilous situation, trapped in a manure pit. Her rescue involved the collective effort of many compassionate individuals. Once she was freed from the pit, the farmer gently placed her on the ground and promptly contacted the Pennsylvania Game Commission. They reached out to one of our dedicated transporters, who bravely undertook the hour-and-a-half journey, overcoming the strong odor of manure, to bring her to our facility.

Upon arrival, our team donned isolation gowns, safety glasses, and masks, prepared for the challenging task ahead. It's worth noting that Great Horned Owls understandably do not enjoy warm baths. After multiple rounds of careful washing and rinsing, she was finally allowed to rest in a warm incubator to begin her recovery.

Her rehabilitation journey was extensive, requiring time to heal from trauma, receive necessary antibiotics, and restore her feathers to their natural, pristine condition. To ensure her was fully prepared for life in the wild, she underwent thorough flight conditioning. However, the process was delayed by storms and severe flooding, as we wanted to guarantee several days of clear weather for her release.

Finally, we made the hour-and-a-half drive back to her home. As a seasoned adult, she was well-acquainted with her territory and surroundings, demonstrating a remarkable sense of familiarity. It was heartening to witness her reclaiming her rightful place in the wild. With unwavering dedication from our team, she was released back into the freedom she deserves, where she can thrive once again.

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From Yao Li

I am grateful for the beautiful red cedar forest in the Pacific Northwest. Finding an owl on a red cedar tree makes it even more special.

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From Mark Workman

She's scaring me! 😦

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From CBS 21

Lancaster, PA — A FedEx driver is being noticed for answering the call to action after finding an injured owl while on his route.

The Raven Ridge Wildlife Center praised the driver, Justin, saying that he called the rescue after discovering the bird.

However, due to the center not having anyone available to assist, the postal carrier swooped into action and placed an empty envelope under the owl to track it down after his shift.

Sure enough, that's when Raven Ridge said Justin came back to the bird and used his work jacket and some plastic wrap to transport it in a FedEx mail bin to Raven Ridge.

We cannot express our gratitude enough for Justin's extraordinary commitment to rescuing and transporting this vulnerable creature to our care. This was a shining example of the 'FedEx Purple Promise' in action. Thankfully, Raven Ridge staff confirmed the animal is resting and receiving vital treatment for its dehydration and wounds.

"The next 72 hours are crucial for its recovery, and we remain hopeful for gradual improvement and a complete recovery, thanks to Justin's selfless actions," the nonprofit said.

"Every effort counts, and together, we can give this owl a second chance at life!"

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From BirdGuides

Türkiye's population of Brown Fish Owl has been estimated at only 50-80 breeding pairs, according to a decade-long study by Doğa Derneği Association.

The findings, based on data gathered over 10 years in the wooded valleys of the Taurus Mountains in southern Türkiye, mark the first comprehensive estimate of the species' presence in the country, as reported by Ornithomedia.

Once thought to be nearly extinct in Türkiye, there was only one confirmed 20th-century sighting of the species, which involved a bird accidentally caught by a fisherman in 1990. However, increasing fieldwork and knowledge of the species' habitat have led to several new discoveries in recent years. Sightings were initially kept secret with valid concerns over the sensitivity of the rare owl, but this changed in July 2011 when a pair was found at an accessible site and was viewable from tourist boat trips.

Sedentary subspecies

The Turkish population belongs to the subspecies semenowi, a sedentary group that has vanished from neighbouring Israel, Syria and Jordan. Its current known range in Türkiye is now restricted to forested valleys, steep cliffs, and fish-rich rivers and reservoirs, particularly in Mersin Province.

Confirmed breeding sites include the Manavgat (Oymapinar) Dam, Köprüçay and Dimçay Valleys, the Tahtalı and Bolkar Mountains, and Termessos National Park. Pairs have also been observed near fish farms, which offer a reliable food source.

Despite these positive observations, the species is believed to be in decline. Ongoing threats include deforestation, mining activity and the expansion of hydroelectric power infrastructure, all of which disturb the owl's nesting sites.

Raising awareness

Conservation groups are working to locate and protect key habitats, with efforts supported by local municipalities and international organisations such as BirdLife International.

Doğa Derneği Association is leading outreach and awareness campaigns about Brown Fish Owl. A poster promoting owl conservation has been distributed to local communities, and a photo exhibition titled 'Discover the Fishing Owl Before Its Extinction' was held in early 2025 at Mersin's Marina shopping centre.

While that's not very many, it is still more than zero. I hope people decide to protect these precious few so as not to lose them forever.

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From Lavin Photography

Eastern Screech Owl in a Cavity

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From Harold Wilion

An owl with teeth?

This shot is a little creepy, although I love the perch this Barred owl was on. No, he didn't grow a set of teeth. Those are the feet of a good size mole that this owl ended up swallowing in just a matter of seconds after he tore into it just a bit

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From Itombwe-Congo Wildlife Conservation

Rare and rediscovered in the Itombwe Forest of Eastern Congo... the Itombwe Owl (also known as the Congo Bay Owl or African Bay Owl).

I thought all these bay owls were in Asia, so I was surprised to find this species in Africa. I'll have to do some more investigation!

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From Lim Ser Chai

Dusky Eagle Owl

Tanjung Karang-Malaysia

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From Carolina Raptor Center

Optical illusion

Can you tell how many young Eastern Screech Owls are in this photo?

AnswerIt's 🦉🦉🦉🦉 Screech Owls!

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From Izzy Edwards

Fuzzy owlet reflecting at the water's edge. A nice summer memory spent with friends in the urban forest.

Barred Owl

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From Israel Kacar

The unexpected often happens...

When I looked into its eyes, I could hardly believe it - but there it was, sitting less than 20 meters in front of me - the eagle owl, Europe's largest owl, and right here in Gronau. I actually wanted to go into the forest to see if the hawk chicks had flown their nests.

Suddenly, I saw a shadow flying silently past in the corner of my eye (I thought it was a buzzard at first). I quickly turned my gaze and began systematically scanning the area.

The songbirds were noticeably raising the alarm, and even the jay was screeching loudly. I quickly found the reason - and I was very surprised!

Please don't ask any questions about the location - it will remain secret.

Original German

Unverhofft kommt oft.....

Als ich in seine Augen sah konnte ich es kaum glauben- doch da saß er keine 20m vor mir - der Uhu Europas größte Eule und das bei mir in Gronau Eigentlich wollte ich in den Wald um zu sehen ob die Habicht Jungen ausgeflogen sind.

Plötzlich sah ich im Augenwinkel einen Schatten lautlos vorbeifliegen (ich dachte erst ein Bussard) schnell hab ich meinen Blick gewendet und begann systematisch den Winkel abzusuchen.

Die Singvögel schlugen auffällig Alarm und selbst der Eichelhäher war lautstark am schreien,schnell hab ich den Grund finden können- und da war ich erstmal sehr überrascht!

Bitte keine Fragen bezüglich des Standort- der bleibt geheimA

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From Paul Bannick

Helping Owls: Human-made Nests

A Great Gray Owl (Strix Nebulosa) arrives at her nest with a chipmunk for her waiting young in a human-made platform. Owls do not create their own nests, many species of owls including Western and Eastern Screech Owls, Ferruginous Pygmy-Owls, Elf Owls, Long-eared Owls, Barred Owls and Great Horned Owls will accept help in the form of nest boxes or platforms.

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cross-posted from: https://piefed.blahaj.zone/post/159143

Bird watcher Oliver Booth is surprised the short-eared owl came anywhere near Glossop.

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