# Help! We found an owl. It looks healthy but not flying. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 14, 2007, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-we-found-an-owl-it-looks-healthy-but-not-flying/422703 "2007-10-14T18:57:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2007, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-we-found-an-owl-it-looks-healthy-but-not-flying/422703/1 "2007-10-14T18:57:32Z")
My wife and I were driving home from lunch when we found a big owl just standing at the edge of the road. We contemplated what to do, but it didn’t seem good to just leave it on the side of the road where it will get hit. My wife went back to the house to collect a box. I was able to get the owl into the box using a towel (I didn’t want to touch it in case it was sick.) We now have an owl in a box on our porch. It seems like the Missouri animal resue places are all closed since it is Sunday. I think the best thing we can do is keep it as comfortable as we can until we can take it to a proper conservation department tommorrow. What advice does anyone have for me? ---
**Author:** ![SpectBrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a87d85/32.png) [@SpectBrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpectBrain)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2007, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-we-found-an-owl-it-looks-healthy-but-not-flying/422703/2 "2007-10-14T19:18:06Z")
Found this by googling “owl rescue”. Hope it helps. [cotswold owl rescue trust]([http://www.owlrescue.supanet.com/First\_Steps.htm#injured](http://www.owlrescue.supanet.com/First_Steps.htm#injured) owl) ---
**Author:** ![Chief\_Pedant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@Chief\_Pedant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chief_Pedant)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2007, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-we-found-an-owl-it-looks-healthy-but-not-flying/422703/3 "2007-10-14T20:06:48Z")
[QUOTE=Christopher] My wife and I were driving home from lunch when we found a big owl just standing at the edge of the road. We contemplated what to do, but it didn’t seem good to just leave it on the side of the road where it will get hit. My wife went back to the house to collect a box. I was able to get the owl into the box using a towel (I didn’t want to touch it in case it was sick.) We now have an owl in a box on our porch. It seems like the Missouri animal resue places are all closed since it is Sunday. I think the best thing we can do is keep it as comfortable as we can until we can take it to a proper conservation department tommorrow. What advice does anyone have for me? [/QUOTE] If I may quote Grimmy (speaking to Mother Goose, when she found the first baby Robin of Spring): “Quick! You get the charcoal. I’ll get the grill.” Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2007, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-we-found-an-owl-it-looks-healthy-but-not-flying/422703/4 "2007-10-14T20:28:34Z")
I called the police. They got me in touch with someone from the conservation department. Unfortunately the agent for our area is out of town this week. I think we will have to keep it overnight, then bring it to the rescue station tomorrow morning. This was not a conveinient day for this to happen. ETA: I think it is a Barn Owl. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2007, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-we-found-an-owl-it-looks-healthy-but-not-flying/422703/5 "2007-10-14T20:36:29Z")
Bird flu? Wear gloves, & a mask, maybe. ---
**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2007, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-we-found-an-owl-it-looks-healthy-but-not-flying/422703/6 "2007-10-14T20:56:29Z")
I thought of that. I used a towel to put it in the box, and we are leaving it alone in the bathroom. I don’t think that Bird Flu is transmitted that way though, but certainly better safe than sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2007, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-we-found-an-owl-it-looks-healthy-but-not-flying/422703/7 "2007-10-14T21:19:25Z")
Be quite careful that it doesn’t turn into David Bowie on you. ---
**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2007, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-we-found-an-owl-it-looks-healthy-but-not-flying/422703/8 "2007-10-14T23:01:32Z")
Woops! Looks like I missheard my wife. It is a Barred Owl. ---
**Author:** ![elelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@elelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elelle)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2007, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-we-found-an-owl-it-looks-healthy-but-not-flying/422703/9 "2007-10-15T00:10:18Z")
I have worked at a Wildlife Rehabilitation Facility. The link that SpectBrain gave gives you the particulars in handling the owl. Keep it in the box, and leave it alone until tomorrow, when you can seek aid from a qualified wildlife rehab person. Keep the owl in as quiet and calm a place as possible. Don’t try to feed it. At this time of year, many owls get downed by car hits at roadside because they are trying to hunt in the median areas, lots of prey rodents, right around sunset, and, with shorter days, this coincides with more traffic. [Here’s](http://www.wildbirdrehab.org/contact_wbr.htm) a link for the St. Louis area Wild Bird Rehabilitation clinic. If that’s not in your area, they can hook you up with an appropriate person. You are such a fine person for taking the time to help this owl, and do know, that there is a great wildlife rehab network in place to help you. I have seen some great , devoted wildlife veterinarians work wonders in mending wings, and releasing the birds to a new life. Keep your owl stable tonight, and find a good caretaker tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![elelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@elelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elelle)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2007, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-we-found-an-owl-it-looks-healthy-but-not-flying/422703/10 "2007-10-15T00:37:55Z")
Christopher, to give you more avenues tomorrow morning, [The Wildlife Center of Missouri](http://www.mowildlife.org/#), and, hoping that all works locally for you, but if not, [The Carolina Raptor Center](http://www.carolinaraptorcenter.org/index.php) is excellent, specific for owls, and should help direct you to the proper facility in you area. All talons crossed for your owl. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2007, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-we-found-an-owl-it-looks-healthy-but-not-flying/422703/11 "2007-10-15T22:06:42Z")
how is the hooter doing? any news? ---
**Author:** ![Pullet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Pullet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pullet)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2007, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-we-found-an-owl-it-looks-healthy-but-not-flying/422703/12 "2007-10-15T23:32:17Z")
[QUOTE=Bosda Di’Chi of Tricor] Bird flu? Wear gloves, & a mask, maybe. [/QUOTE] As of yet, Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza is not in the US. Even if it was, the OP would need rather heavy exposure to the virus, like by rubbing the owl all over his face for example, before he’d get the virus from the owl. Sorry. The media-generated misinformation about this pandemic is one of my pet peeves. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2007, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-we-found-an-owl-it-looks-healthy-but-not-flying/422703/13 "2007-10-15T23:50:54Z")
[QUOTE=Pullet] As of yet, Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza is not in the US. Even if it was, the OP would need rather heavy exposure to the virus, **like by rubbing the owl all over his face for example** … [/QUOTE] This is not recommended, even with the cute fuzzy owlets. Don’t try this at home, folks! ---
**Author:** ![Lionne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Lionne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lionne)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2007, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-we-found-an-owl-it-looks-healthy-but-not-flying/422703/14 "2007-10-16T00:02:55Z")
Status! Should we send out a search team? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2007, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-we-found-an-owl-it-looks-healthy-but-not-flying/422703/15 "2007-10-16T03:11:12Z")
Careful. He isn’t what he seems. ---
**Author:** ![A.R.Cane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@A.R.Cane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A.R.Cane)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2007, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-we-found-an-owl-it-looks-healthy-but-not-flying/422703/16 "2007-10-16T03:27:55Z")
[QUOTE=Lionne] Status! Should we send out a search team? [/QUOTE] Whoo wants to know? ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2007, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-we-found-an-owl-it-looks-healthy-but-not-flying/422703/17 "2007-10-16T04:32:45Z")
[QUOTE=Pullet] the OP would need rather heavy exposure to the virus, like by rubbing the owl all over his face for example, before he’d get the virus from the owl. [/QUOTE] Eyeing parrot with suspicion. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2007, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-we-found-an-owl-it-looks-healthy-but-not-flying/422703/18 "2007-10-16T05:28:49Z")
It could be a mere cigar, or children’s software. On the other hand, if it hoots in iambic pentameter, you’ll know it is naught but a Bard Owl, forsooth. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Cymbeline](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_cymbeline/32/9244_2.png) [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2007, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-we-found-an-owl-it-looks-healthy-but-not-flying/422703/19 "2007-10-16T05:32:53Z")
How’s he doing? You’re doing a wonderful thing by taking him in. I took in a baby bird that fell out of its nest a few months ago and it was a very rewarding experience (if heart-wrenching when I had to let him go). I really hope he can get to a rehabilitator!! Please let us know. And photos would be awesome too! ---
**Author:** ![papaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@papaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/papaw)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2007, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-we-found-an-owl-it-looks-healthy-but-not-flying/422703/20 "2007-10-16T07:41:34Z")
All good advice, and I will add one more note. By no means should you handle the owl without protection! As an adventurous teenager, I once caught a young barn owl, thinking I would have the coolest pet. I still have the scars on my right forefinger where he clamped on with his talons and didn’t let loose until my father had to end his life. It was foolish of me and unfortunate for the bird needless to say. I think the survival rate for sick or injured birds “rescued” by well-meaning people is very poor indeed. Usually a bird can’t even be approached unless its condition is dire indeed. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-we-found-an-owl-it-looks-healthy-but-not-flying/422703.md?page=2)