Why do you have owls?
I have had a great fascination and respect for birds, especially birds of prey, for most of my life. I am fortunate to know a Fairbanks bird rehabilitator who had these owls in her care and was looking to re-home them prior to her retirement. I have seen how effective a live bird can be at educating and inspiring people about our natural environment, so I was happy to take on the honor of caring for these winged ambassadors.
Can anyone keep an owl or other wild bird in captivity?
No, only people with federal and state licenses can care for injured and unreleaseable wild birds. To obtain these licenses, you must have training and education in bird care and handling, which often requires an apprenticeship under a licensed rehabilitator or falconer. A well-meaning but unknowledgeable person can do more harm than good when trying to care for a wild bird. Also, many raptors are dangerous to handle and can inflict serious injury.
Where do you keep the owls?
Outside, in large cages with shelter, shade, plenty of perches and views of the forest and passing wildlife.
What do you feed the owls?
I must feed the owls a variety of whole animals similar to what they would eat in the wild. I purchase frozen mice and rats in bulk from RodentPro.com, and I also feed the owls squirrels, snowshoe hares, voles and grouse that have been legally trapped/shot or hit by cars.
Do your owls make good pets?
No! They are wild animals and would hate to be petted or cuddled. They do not want to play with me and prefer to spend most of their time alone. It takes a lot of work and money to provide them with a healthy diet and proper caging. I can’t house-train them, and it isn’t pleasant to clean up squirrel guts and other icky things from their cages. Also, they could accidentally hurt me if I’m not careful when I handle them.
How long do owls live?
It’s a tough life for any bird living in the wild, and many young birds don’t even live long enough to see their first birthday. Those that do survive their first year still face many hazards—predators, starvation, disease, electrocution, cars, windows and people with guns. Great Horned Owls are probably the most long-lived of North American owls, with banding records documenting one living at least 28 years in the wild. Birds in captivity generally live much longer than their wild counterparts because they are well fed and protected from predators. A captive Great Horned Owl could live as long as 50 years! A banded, wild Great Gray Owl was recovered when it was 13 years old, and captive Great Grays have lived 27 years.
