Gordon
Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginanus

Gordon was a very young owlet when a tree cutter found him on the ground in a wooded area. Assuming that the owl had fallen out of his nest and was abandoned by his parents, the tree cutter took Gordon home and kept him for several weeks before taking him to a qualified licensed rehabilitator.

During those first weeks of Gordon's youth, in order for the owlet to have had healthy development and to have learned the proper skills to survive in the wild, Gordon needed to be raised by his parents, or one of his own species. In fact, although Gordon was found on the ground instead of in a nest high in a tree, many times after young owlets leave the nest, parents will feed their young even if on the ground until they are able to fly. Owlets are very much dependent on their parents until they learn to hunt for themselves, and usually aren't able to fly substantial distances until they are 9 to 10 weeks old.

Because Gordon was taken out of his environment and raised by a human, he will never be able to be released into the wild. Gordon does not consider himself a Great-horned Owl, but identifies with people because he was imprinted so early in his life. When he arrived at the Avian Reconditioning Center, Gordon stood out from the other young Great Horned owlets that were brought in at the same time. While the other owlets would hiss and clack their beaks from a high perch at anyone who would enter their space, Gordon would always be on the ground begging for food, not showing any fear towards people.

When the time came for the young owlets to be released into their natural habitat, Gordon did not show the necessary coping skills and had to remain at the Avian Reconditioning Center as an Education Ambassador. Throughout the past summer, Gordon, or as everyone calls him "Gordy", has enjoyed visiting many day camps and groups, and finds every experience new and exciting. Gordy is quite the character and sometimes it can be humorous to just sit and watch him. Gordy becomes amazed by flying insects, especially butterflies, and does not like the sight or sound of lawnmowers and tractors.

    Gordon can be sponsored through the Adopt-a-Bird program.
    Call 407-461-1056 or e-mail info@adoptabird.org for details
    on how you can make Gordon a part of your family!

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