Rescued Boobook Owl.

[xoxoEbzxoxo]

Well I've done bird rescue but haven't had any injured birds in for a while now, until last night when I rescued an owl that had been hit by a car. I kept him in a box over night as he was very stressed out and looked as though he was going to die.. I checked him this morning and I was suprised to see two beautiful owl eyes staring at me from the bottom of the box. I did a visual and physical examination on him and he seems fine but I am a bit unsure of what to do now. I'm thinking about giving him something to eat..
I've never rescued a Southern Boobook owl yet, only an owlet nightjar that died overnight.
Any advice on what to do now?
He has no physical injuries but I'm not sure if I should keep him for a week just to see if he has any other problems that may be happening inside him, or if i should release him tonight to avoid extra stress???

Thanks,
Ebony

[88keysau]

Ebony,
I would take him to a vet for a check up just to be certain. As it's a native animal they won't charge you anything for the consultation, not even the AH emergency vet charges us when we go in with wild life (we are in Vic). He will be ok with you for another night and probably less stressed than if you release him with any hidden injury. See if you can catch some moths, spiders or crickets for him to eat, it's probably easier than a mouse! (We always have crickets on hand as we have frogs.)
Good luck and I hope he is going to be ok.
Cheers
Karen

[vankarhi]

oh gee I am probably too late but have you thought to contact Ben (zooyouthben)?? He knows a lot about these sorts of birds??? Anyway how is the bird now??

[zooyouthben]

Sorry i didnt get back to you sooner Ebony. Everything you did was right. and he should be good for release once he's flying well, unless you already have released him

[xoxoEbzxoxo]

He was released the day after the car accident. He was healthy as anything.
I didn't want him to be more stressed out by keeping him another night when I didn't have to. It was very rewarding to release him. He was a beautiful owl.