DRAGON, Eurasian eagle-owl
This female Eurasian Eagle Owl arrived at our Center from the World Bird Sanctuary in St. Louis, MO where she was bred for education. This is the largest owl species in the world. Dragon is named because of her fiery personality, amazing orange eyes and huge wings. Her call is a low pitched hoot that can be heard for up to 2.5 miles. You may have noticed this type of owl delivering the mail in the popular Harry Potter movies.
ARGIE, Eurasian eagle owl
This male Eurasian Eagle Owl came to our Center on breeding loan from one of our partners to pair with our female, Dragon. Argie had been showing all of the signs of wanting to be a dad, he even helped raise an orphaned Red-tailed Hawk chick! These two birds were unsure of each other at first, but they bonded over their mutual dislike of the tractor and have been inseparable ever since. Dragon had been laying and incubating eggs for several years– but with Argie, they successfully raised their first chick together in 2017.
NYX, Eurasian eagle owl
Nyx, named for the Latin personification of night, is our resident gentle giant. Looking at the size of her talons you can see that her gentle nature is a good thing for her handlers! As one of the largest species of owls in the world she is an impressive, powerful bird that captures everyone’s attention at education programs. Nyx is most content when she is taking walks in the sun with her handlers – despite being an owl she loves to sun herself!
ECHO, Great-horned owl
Echo was found as an owlet and illegally raised by an unlicensed individual in a pet store. When the person realized they were in over their heads they tried to get Echo to a licensed facility and were repeatedly told that Echo would be euthanized since he was imprinted on humans. One day Hawk Creek was tagged in a Facebook post of all things to see if we could help poor Echo! He now lives at the Center and is a beautiful example of why these birds are known as “tigers of the sky!”
ATHENA, Great-horned owl
While the Great-horned Owl may be one of North America’s most common owls, there is nothing ordinary about Athena! She is one of three Great-horned Owls we have been able to track that possess unique grey blue eyes. This genetic anomaly thankfully doesn’t impact her eyesight. Unfortunately, Athena was illegally raised by a family and became imprinted on humans at a young age which makes her unable to be released.
MERLIN, barred owl
Merlin, a female Barred Owl, was brought to the Center when she was found on the side of the road after being hit by a car. When she arrived she was unable to even hold her head up and her prognosis was guarded. After months of rehabilitation Merlin was nursed back to health but due to head trauma and being blind in one eye she was not a candidate for release. Merlin gives people the opportunity to meet one of our area’s most common owl species up-close.
DUMBLEDORE, spectacled owl
Dumbledore, a Spectacled Owl, was captive-bred at the World Bird Sanctuary in St. Louis, MO for education. His name comes from the feathers around its bright yellow eyes that look like spectacles. Adults have dark heads with white “spectacles,” while juveniles have white heads with dark feather masks. He helps to educate and promote the importance of preserving biodiversity and the rainforest he comes from.
TWILIGHT, Tawny owl
Twilight is a female Tawny Owl that was captive bred for education. They are one of the most common owls found in Europe but there are very few of these owls in facilities here in the U.S. Tawny Owls are best known for their role in the Harry Potter movies where they busily delivered mail to Harry and his friends. They are very similar to our native Barred Owl.
NUMBI, african spotted eagle owl
Numbi was captive bred in the US from birds imported from the UK by Jemima Parry-Jones. There are only ten of these beautiful owls in the US so he is a treat for people to meet and he certainly doesn’t mind getting up-close and personal with his fans! This is the smallest of the eagle owl species and their diet reflects this as they primarily eat insects, small mammals and reptiles.
AURORA, Snowy Owl
Aurora was found on the side of the road after being hit by a car and was thought to be dead. When the founders saw her move her head they rushed her to a rehabilitator for care. Her life was saved but she will never fly properly again. She arrived with Ookpik when the rehabilitator became burned out and could no longer care for them. Aurora, like all female Snowy Owls, has beautiful feathers with black spots.
OOKPIK, snowy owl
Ookpik was hit by a car and sustained a permanent eye injury. He arrived with Aurora from a rehabilitator that was burned out and had been unable to care for the birds properly. When they arrived, they were infested with internal and external parasites and their feathers were brown and tattered. After eight weeks of quarantine and intense care these birds regained their health, molted in new healthy, white feathers and were able to settle into their new home.