Among dozens of other baby patients, CROW has been raising a young eastern screech owl (patient #25-1952). The lone chick arrived mid-May covered in white, fluffy down. Although the finder assumed this chick was orphaned after finding it within a dead tree, it was likely “abducted” from the wild. In other words, it was mistaken for an animal in need of help. Eastern screech owls are cavity nesters, so they often raise their young in hollow trees and artificial owl boxes. The parents leave their chicks hidden in the nest as they hunt for meals.

On the plus side, this means that the owl was in good physical condition and needed no medical attention. Still, raising a wild animal is no easy task. For the past two months, CROW’s experienced rehabilitation team has been raising this baby alongside other young eastern screech owls. Even without a mother, it’s important to keep conspecifics (individuals of the same age and species) together so that they can imprint on one another rather than on their human caregiver.

By the end of June, the chick had begun to fledge, so it was moved to an outdoor rehabilitation enclosure so it could begin building flight muscles. This stage is also key for helping young animals acclimate to Florida’s natural weather, temperatures, and wildlife. Wild birds often perch on the enclosures and “talk” to the patients inside–reminding them what it means to be wild.

Before this patient is ready for release, CROW’s hospital staff will carefully assess both its mental and physical development. This includes evaluating its behavior, conducting flight tests, and performing physical exams. One key factor staff looks for is whether the patient still behaves like a wild animal. In fact, showing defensiveness and fear toward humans is a positive sign–it means the patient still sees people as a potential threat just as it should in the wild.

CROW Case A Week stories are written and edited by Sarah Rinne. These stories appear weekly in Santiva Chronicle.