Another Great Horned Owl baby

After a return to health at DVWR, this Red-tailed Hawk made a quick exit!  

This orphaned 8-day-old baby sparrow is one of many birds that are receiving care especially during this time of year. At this stage the chicks are extremely fragile, must have an external heat source and are fed very frequently. They are kept in incubators with make shift nests sometimes created by just using the toe of a sock. 

This time of year babies of various species are brought to DVWR for care.   Two Great Horned Owls recently arrived and received excellent prognosis. Once they achieve a certain level of growth and demonstrate hunting abilities they will be returned to the wild.

A bit of history on the raptor — Peregrine Falcons were nearly wiped out from pesticide poisoning in eastern North America during the middle of the 20th century, the Peregrine made a come back through the captive breeding efforts of professional falconers.

This baby Great Horned Owl is recovering at DVWR after being blown out of the nest during a storm and sustaining an eye injury.  Prognosis very good!