Can I have a pet owl?
The word “owl” refers to members of the Owl order streaks. This species of order is characterized, with a few exceptions, by a predominantly nocturnal habit, a preference for solitary social life, and a unique wing structure that allows for silent flight. All owls are carnivorous and feed mainly on small rodents and other mammals.
Owls are always respected animals. However, since their debut, their popularity has skyrocketed. Harry potter The film features owls as the affectionate companions of the narrative wizards and postmen. As a result, more and more people are interested in the concept of a pet owl and become obsessed with its depictions in movies and media. But is this a realistic dream?
expectations and reality
The majority of people interested in keeping an owl as a pet have unrealistic expectations of how an owl will behave as a pet. This is not surprising given the lack of information regarding their ownership. If you google questions about the mere idea of getting an owl as a pet, you’ll be met with scathing remarks and ridicule. People are just being told not to get it by someone who doesn’t want it.
It is important to distinguish between fiction and reality, to recognize that owls are a unique species, and to respect owls as they are. Owls don’t behave like parrots, which are very social birds. They do not actively seek your attention and most do not tolerate being petted or touched due to their solitary nature. Like all birds, they are finicky and require effort to maintain. And their lifespan is long, equal to the average lifespan in captivity. Eurasian Eagle Owl (bubo bubo) Be up to 60 years old.[1] Combined with the price, it’s over $6,000 just for owlsis not appealing to most people.
However, all animal species, large and small, have their own housing requirements, handling practices and responsibilities. For those truly interested in owning an owl, owl-specific needs are not inherently a problem, they just need to be studied and understood.
Legality of owning an owl
The first topic to discuss directly related to actually keeping an owl as a pet is legality. In the United States, it is federally illegal to own any species of owl native to North America.[2] This is due to a law known as Migratory Bird Treaty Act 1918refers to species such as barn owl (Tito Alba) and snowy owl (bubo scandiax)You cannot keep them unless you have a falconer license with the necessary permits, to name a few. This process can take years. A complete list of all bird species protected by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service can be found here. here.
However, exotic owls that are not native to North America can be legally owned unless your state has its own laws regulating them. An invasive species commonly available in the United States is the Eurasian Eagle Owl (bubo bubo) and the spectacled owl (Pulsatrix perspicillata). The Eurasian Eagle Owl is one of the largest and most powerful species of owl, but due to the damage potential of these birds, most breeders do not sell to people who have no experience handling large raptors.
Other species of exotic owls such as Screech owl (Ptilopsis leucotis) and small owl (Athens Noctua) Their small size makes them a much better choice as pets. In the United States, these species are rarely seen in zoos, so prospective owners should consider importing birds from countries such as the United Kingdom. This work is very time consuming and expensive with many legalities beyond the scope of this article.
diet
Owls are complete carnivores. Therefore, animals are fed only with meat and sometimes with insects depending on the species. Large owls, such as the Eurasian eagle owl, have slightly different dietary needs than smaller owls, such as the little owl, which eats very small prey in the wild.
Suitable food sources for most pet owls include day-old chicks and mice. These are readily available from your local pet store and can be ordered online. Species that frequently eat insects in the wild can be fed with house crickets, dubia roaches, mealworms, silkworms, etc. Feeding an owl food such as packaged chicken or beef is not nutritionally appropriate and unacceptable.[3]
An adult barn owl may eat from one and a half days old to two chicks (roughly the equivalent of three voles) in one night. Use common sense when feeding wild or captive barn owls. Increase or decrease the food supply depending on how much the owl consumes. Some individuals eat two chicks each night, but a starving bird may eat three of her chicks. Note that two medium-sized mice are roughly equivalent to a day-old chick.
— Barn Owl Trust UK
Feeding an owl is not for the faint of heart and can be quite a hassle. Uneaten or discarded food should be promptly removed from the enclosure, and surfaces that come into contact with prey should be cleaned regularly with a bird-safe cleaning solution to prevent bacteria and spoilage. Hygiene is essential when keeping an owl.
housing
Enclosures should have enough space for owls to fully spread their wings to exhibit natural behaviors such as short flights. Owls are fairly sedentary compared to other raptors, and as a result their enclosure size is smaller than required for other raptors.[4]
The recommended cage size depends on the type of owl you have. The table below provides examples of enclosure sizes required for legal species in the United States.
The substrate used for the enclosure is different. Many people use sand, pea gravel, or grass. Mulch, poplar bedding, and straw are not recommended because breathing in airborne spores can produce mold that is toxic to birds. Wood chips are also commonly used, but care must be taken not to leave them damp.[5] Avoid concrete and other hard, sharp surfaces. The substrate should be cleaned regularly.
Enclosures can have ledges, appropriately sized rope and branch perches, and non-toxic plants. A shallow bathing dish is a must-have for your owl and can be purchased at a falconry supply store, as are all other necessities for owl care.
health and safety
If you have a pet owl, you can’t simply take it to your local veterinarian. Because owls are exotic animals, only veterinary hospitals that specialize in exotic care treat owls. The presence of a qualified veterinarian is essential to your owl’s health. Owls don’t need vaccinations like dogs or cats, but an exotic veterinarian who knows birds of prey is invaluable to their owners.
Owls have the physical ability to harm humans, depending on the size of the bird. Smaller species such as pygmy owls and screech owls are nothing to worry about. However, large owls, such as the eagle owl, can apply up to 500 pounds per square inch of pressure with their paws. The Eurasian eagle owl is even larger. Combined with their large, sharp claws, they can send adults to the ER. For this reason, it is recommended that you have some experience handling large birds of prey before adopting them.
I recommend doing more research
Overall, the idea of having an owl as a pet tends to be more appealing than reality. Owls require diligence and dedication to feed for a lifetime and require a large financial investment.
This article is not intended to be the sole source of information on this subject. If you’re still interested in owning an owl, get hands-on with an owl at your local raptor and wildlife center, peruse falconry forums, and read the many books on owls and other birds of prey. It is recommended that you
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References
[1] Oulcation – education. 2021. Everything you wanted to know about the eagle owl.
[2] Swiss Government 2021. US Fish and Wildlife Service – Migratory Bird Program | Protecting American Birds
[3] Barn Owl Trust. 2021. Feed the barn owl.
[4] McKeever, K., Redig, P., Evans, R., and Heyden, N., 1987. Care and rehabilitation of injured owls.vineland [Ont.]: Owl Rehabilitation Research Foundation.
[5] Ash, L., 2021. Modern Apprentice – Muse.
This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. It is not a substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescribing or formal, individualized advice from a veterinarian. Animals showing signs or symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.