Fledgling Short-Eared Owl Needs Nutrition

fleding short-eared owl perched on indoor perch nestling short-eared owl standing on paper towels indoorsThe following story about a short-eared owl was submitted by the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utah.

In June of 2021, a severely emaciated and dehydrated short-eared owl fledgling was brought to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utah in Ogden. Her rescuers had picked her up from some well-intentioned children who had been offering her grasshoppers for three days. On admission the owl weighed only 194 grams (about 6.8 ounces) and was so weak she could barely stand.

short-eared owl in sky flying away short-eared owl stepping out of carrier into fieldAfter rehydrating the patient, we started with a dilute EmerAid IC Carnivore mixture due to concerns about her ability to digest whole foods. The patient perked up significantly after the first few feedings. We gradually worked up to a full strength mixture fed three times a day. On day 4 the patient was strong enough for mice and had a voracious appetite.

Soon enough the owl was tearing up mice on her own and was upgraded to a larger enclosure in order for her to build up her flight strength. In September of 2021 at 430 grams (about 15.2 ounces) the short-eared owl had mastered flight, demonstrated she was able to hunt on her own, and was ready for release.