From Raptors Rise Rehab Center
Precious Barry, the Barred Owl came to us a long time ago. He was hit by a car and his beak was broken in several places.
We used surgical glue and secured it the best we could. We did that to reinforce it so hopefully it wouldn’t break off. We cut his food for him and were cautious about what we fed him. If he tried to pull his food apart that beak would surely break off. We made the decision to overwinter Barry to give the beak time to grow out.
I am happy to say that it worked and Barry went home yesterday evening! His rescuer Tim did the honors and it was a beautiful release!
Above photo was taken before the beak got a final shaping and sharpening.
Intake Photo (a bit ouchy looking)
Halfway Grown Back
Happy hunting Barry!
I’m sure he’s jumping at the chance to show his new beak off to all the local small wildlife! 😊
I wonder if the bird bands are kinda like kids getting nose rings or something.
You know, they disappear for a few days and come back with nose ring and maybe a tat that says “noodle soup” but in Chinese characters.
I like when they get the bonus colored ones. We don’t do any banding at our place. The one day I caught the GHO picking at his jesses and I just gave him a jokingly stern “hey” and he then proceeded to attack the cage in front of my face, which is also how he returns my “good morning” half the time.
I’d assume the other birds would check them out, at least any that could get close enough. They’d probably claim it as some kind of mole slaughtering award or some such…
Maybe.
I doubt they’d tell anyone it was aliens, though.
I mean, as a human telling you something silently came out of the night and drug you up into the sky and stabbed you with things is pretty out there and memorable…
To an owl, that’s just grabbing a snack. They wouldn’t get much attention with a story like that.
Bye bye, Barry!
