Hunter
Eastern Screech-owl
Otis asio

In June of 2002, this young owlet fell from his nest cavity. Although he didn't sustain any injuries from the fall, Hunter was attacked by Blue Jays while on the ground. Even though he was far too young to pose any real threat, Blue Jays will commonly attack any predatory bird in the area.

His left eye was seriously injured in the attack and could not be saved. The eye was surgically removed to prevent infection and any further medical problems. Since Hunter was still a downy owlet at the time of the attack, it was unsure if there would be permanent damage to the feather follicles at the injury site. Follicles are the openings in the skin from which feathers emerge. Damage to the follicles can result in poor or no feather growth.

Hunter was transferred to The Avian Reconditioning Center to recuperate following surgery in July and became a permanent resident shortly thereafter. Although it seemed to take a long while, new feathers slowly began to emerge. The condition of these feathers appears normal and after a molt or two, there should be only a slight difference in the appearance of Hunter's plumage at the injury site. Screech-owls occur in three color morphs--red, gray and brown. Hunter is brown, the most common color found among the eastern population of this species.

Typical of this nocturnal species, Hunter is content to perch quietly during the day, sometimes venturing onto the top of his "nestbox." Before settling down for the day, Hunter greets the sunrise with much twittering, trilling and the quavering whistled call common to the Screech-owl.

At night he usually chooses to sit on a high branch in his mew and will often splash about in his bath bowl before eating his dinner.

In the wild, when frightened, screech-owls will attempt to make themselves 'invisible' by standing very tall and still against a tree trunk. Hunter often mimics this defensive behavior when approached by strangers. He often cocks his head to the right as if to ask "Who are you?" but this behavior is probably due to his loss of vision on the left side.

    Hunter 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 Hunter a part of your family!

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