Bird Identification: Anyone have an idea what type of Owl this is?, 0 by ShellinPz

ShellinPz wrote:
As a Bird of Prey rehabber, I have LOTS of these guys right now! It's a juvie Gray Morph Screechie.

See the feathers on its abdomen? The horizontal stripes mean it's a baby. When Screechies reach adulthood, those feathers will be replaced by feathers which are striated vertically.

Screech Owls, like Great Horned Owls, have ear tufts (although their ears aren't located there), so frequently, they're mistaken for baby GHOs. It's an easy mistake to make, until you see a baby GHO - they're over a foot tall as nestlings. Here's a pic of one I had a few years ago at about the same stage of development as the one you have. Wings were irreparably broken as a chick due to Mom's calcium deficiency, so she's now a permie & another rehabber uses her for education. Notice the scale & you'll see her size - she's eating a full grown rat & that's a large carrier behind her. And the talons -- there's no missing those!


I'm assuming you've put the bird back outside - right?

Chris
BOP/Avian Rehabber
Tampa Bay