I couldn’t find too many more details on this particular owl’s situation. No word on if there were other babies or parents around. I’m thinking not, since they didn’t mention it or being able to relocate/replace the nest and renesting any siblings.

They have at least one other baby Screech, named Mittens, whom I have a queued post on, and once Peanut is a little bigger, they will be put together.

Since Peanut is so small, there’s a few potential outcomes for him. An adult Screech could come into the center and possibly adopt him. An established Screech nest could be found, and they could sneak Peanut into that nest. Or Peanut will grow up in the clinic and be released to an area that has what an adult Screech will need. The first 2 options can boost his chance for success after release, as he’d learn from an actual adult owl that was surviving on its own. The parent(s) will still look out for it to try to prepare it for winter. If it is released on its own, then it is responsible for itself, but the upside is that it can potentially be released in a better location, away from people, roads, etc.

Rehabbers will always try to have an animal raised by its own kind so it learns everything it needs, but it isn’t always possible, hence why we limit human contact and make sure it’s at peak health at release. That’s all we can really do as humans. We keep them fed, hydrated, and with as much unaltered instincts as possible. Owl life is tough, especially the first year, but we prepare them the best we can!