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Yoda |
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This male great horned owl came to Hawk Creek from the
Wildlife Center of New Mexico. He was illegally taken from his nest to
become a pet, and was confiscated by authorities at five months old. Being
a human imprint, he expresses his delight at educational programs with his
vocalizations. He is also a foster parent, preventing the human imprinting
of great horned owl babies. |
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Dragon |
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This female Eurasian eagle owl arrived at our center from the World Bird Sanctuary of St. Louis, where she was bred for education. The largest owl species in the world, Dragon is aptly named with a fiery personality and huge wings. You may have noticed this owl, with its enormous size and amazing orange eyes, in the popular Harry Potter movies.
Hatched: 4/26/03 |
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Darwin |
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This adult male short-eared owl harmed his wing by flying into an electrical wire. He sustained permanent wing damage and is therefore non-releasable. This high energy bird is a little shy around the public which could account for his status as an endangered species. He is currently seen in our “Rare & Vanishing Species” program. Arrived as adult: 7/19/98 |
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Hedwig |
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This female snowy owl was placed at Hawk Creek from a breeding project in upstate New York. She was named after Harry Potter’s famous snowy owl. She is a wonderful ambassador from the Arctic tundra. Hedwig thrives in extreme winter weather and has much to teach us about surviving in harsh conditions. Hatched: 5/00/01 |
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Wizard |
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This adult female barred owl, while searching for food, detected easy prey in a pet bird. She flew into a window and detached her corneas leaving her blind. After receiving care from the Wildlife Center of Virginia, She is now used in our educational outreach programs. The beauty and gentle nature of this bird makes her a favorite for many at our Center. Arrived as adult: 12/26/92 |
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Merlin |
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This adult male barred owl was treated and sent to us by The Wildlife Center of Virginia. Merlin ingested poison, which is permanent and lays dormant in the fat cells of his body. If in lean times these fat stores are used, the poisons will be released into his body and kill him. He is now well fed and used on educational programs. Arrived as adult: 10/00 |
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Hogwart |
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This adult male tawny owl was donated to our center from the World Bird Sanctuary in St. Louis. He was captive bred at their center for educational outreach. His name comes from the school of wizardry in the Harry Potter novels, which has caused the tawny owls to become popular requests for programs. Hatched: 5/97 |
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Quidditch |
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This adult female tawny owl is on permanent loan to our center from the World Bird Sanctuary in St. Louis. She is missing her nictitating membrane, or clear eyelid, and receives moisturizing drops. This calm owl is named after the favorite game played in the Harry Potter novels.
Hatched: 3/1/95 |
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Sianna |
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Acorn |
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This male eastern screech owl was found as an owlet on the property of a well-meaning family located right here in the Western New York area. Instead of leaving him to his parent’s care, they brought him into their home and housed him in a small wire cage and hand-fed him. He cannot physically be released because of improper housing and an inadequate diet resulted in abnormal development. He also cannot be released due to his imprinting on humans, which is irreversible in raptors. Hatched: 5/1/03 |
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Nova |
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This adult male saw-whet owl was treated at the Jamestown Animal Hospital for his injuries. He received permanent damage to his wing and was sent to us for education. He is named Nova because the species was originally discovered in Nova Scotia. The comical expression on his face always leaves the children who see him with a smile. Arrived as adult: 9/13/99 |
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Arnica |
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This female saw-whet owl was found in the streets of
Buffalo, apparently hit by a car. She was given the herbal remedy,
arnica, to treat her head trauma, and she responded so well that she was
named after it. She has permanent eye damage and is not releasable, so
she is used for education. This elusive, well-camouflaged nocturnal owl
is very difficult to find, making Arnica a favorite among the curious
students. |
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Hopi and Zuni |
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Because of habitat reduction, burrowing owl numbers have decreased greatly, and are listed as a Species of Special Concern. They breed west of the Mississippi River. The Burrowing Owl doesn't dig burrows, but lives in old squirrel dens. Zuni came to us from Arizona, who can no longer fly, was injured during the destruction of her habitat. Hopi, an older male, was a victim of a dog attack, which left his wing damaged.
Hopi arrived: 1/16/95 |
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Autumn and Screamer |
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This breeding pair of barn owls came to us from Phoenix with permanent injuries which made them non-releasable. They are the originators of our Barn Owl Breeding Project. These loving and protective parents are appropriately named because when protecting their young she shakes like a leaf, and he yells. Arrived as adults: 3/1/94 |
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Tyto, Alba, Echo, and Luna |
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The European barn owl is the nominate species of the barn owls, which means all sub-species of barn owls derive from the European species. Although they are much smaller than our native barn owls, their nighttime escapades have led to the creation of many ghost stories. These four came to us from Canada. Hatched: 6/1/00 |
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Artemis |
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Artemis was hatched at our center in 1996 from Autumn & Screamer. He was kept as an educational bird to represent our breeding program. Artemis is an unusual raptor because he performs two jobs at the same time. When he is not breeding or caring for his young, he is also used for educational purposes. He particularly enjoys ed. programs when his offspring reach their “teenage” stage. Hatched: 5/1/98 |
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Eclipse |
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This impressionable young adult barn owl came to us in 2004 and quickly became part of our flying bird program. After a month of training, she became one of our most consistent and well-performing flighted educational ambassadors. Arrived: Summer 2004 |
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Gossamer |
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Gossamer, pictured here at a very young age, is a shy but very laid-back owl. A favorite in our educational programs, her imprinted status makes her more comfortable than others when in front of audiences. She can be very attentive, often displaying the characteristic stereolocation techniques of her species, using the acoustics of her environment to locate objects. |
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