From Badger Run Wildlife Rehab
This Northern Saw-whet owl was admitted on Sunday morning.
No obvious fractures were found, but he definitely has head trauma. He was found in the road, so we assume he was hit by a car. We’ll get X-rays later today. He was having some breathing issues at intake, so we also suspect air sac damage. Just to be safe he was put on supplemental oxygen and heat along with the standard anti-inflammatory pain meds we administer for head trauma.
The little guy is full grown and weighed in at a whopping 75 g (2.6oz)! This means he’s likely a male given he’s on the small end of the species’ weight range. The pear next to him is for scale.
Our volunteer manning the helpline Saturday night had just silenced the Badger Run phone for the night at about 10:30pm. While brushing her teeth she saw the call come in and called the finders back. She told them how to properly overnight the bird and gave them instructions for bringing him in Sunday morning.
About the only time we don’t answer our helpline is when we are asleep, in the shower, or at an appointment. Because of this, we routinely receive calls from all over Oregon when other rehabs are closed. We regularly find ourselves giving folks advice on what to do with an animal until their own rehab opens.
Not a banana?
That was breakfast. The pear was reserved for lunch.
I still find mind blowing that owls this small exist.
I’ve only “seen” one once. I walked past the enclosure that said “Saw Whet” about 3 times thinking it must have been released. On the last try to spot it, I finally spotted 2 tiny eyes staring at me from the ceiling at the furthest corner. I’ll claim to have a Saw Whet that’s seen me, but I don’t really count that as me having seen him. 😜
Our volunteer manning the helpline Saturday night had just silenced the Badger Run phone for the night at about 10:30pm. While brushing her teeth she saw the call come in and called the finders back. She told them how to properly overnight the bird and gave them instructions for bringing him in Sunday morning.
Heroes
I just hope they take care of themselves too! It’s admirable having long hours or 24/7, but there is a huge potential for burnout if they never get time away from the clinic. Our owner lives on the property, but we keep pretty strict public hours of 10a-8p, I do believe, for reasons of sanity! 😅
Very, very true! Take care of yourselves animal heroes!
That little one needs some readers and it’ll look like every elementary school librarian I’ve ever seen
