Rehab Patient Becomes Animal Ambassador

One recent rehab patient at Lake Erie Nature & Science Center, an Eastern Screech Owl, is unfortunately destined to become an educational animal instead of returning to the wild. This owl was brought into the Kenneth A. Scott Wildlife Education & Rehabilitation Program with missing metacarpals or “finger” bones in the wing. We don’t know what kind of trauma caused the amputation of the digits, but this is a permanent injury that will prevent this owl from ever flying well again.

The Eastern Screech Owl is one of the three most common owls in Ohio. This tiny owl is often mistaken for a baby because, as an adult, it's only about 9 inches tall and weighs about 6 ounces.
There are two colors of Screech Owls, red and gray. As you can see in the photo, this one is the red phase. Eastern Screech Owls nest in tree cavities like a woodpecker does. Standing dead trees are important to them not only for nesting sites but also as a food source as the dead tree becomes infested with bugs. In addition to insects, they eat small mammals, small birds, reptiles and amphibians.
Before this bird can become an animal ambassador, we need to acclimate it to being around people in a non-threatening manner. Once it’s comfortable, it’ll be ready to help us educate and inspire. Watch for it to be out with our live animal presenters. -Wildlife Rehabilitation Specialist Amy LeMonds