Advice Needed: Injured Great Horned Owl in my yard - York, PA, USA (1 Viewer)

[BirdsInTheYard]

Hello, all. This morning we found an injured adult Great Horned Owl in our yard. I contacted the closest wildlife rehabilitation center in the area and am waiting to hear back.

I found conflicting advice online about what steps I should take at the moment. It appears to have an injured wing but I cannot say for sure.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[BirdsInTheYard]

And I have also read the pinned thread here, though the advice seems to be geared toward smaller birds.

 

[Mono]

Just keep an eye on it. If you have dogs then I would keep them inside. I would not try to handle it. If it feels threatened it could lash out and cause you harm. If the wildlife rehab people are coming I would leave it to them.

 

[BirdsInTheYard]

Just keep an eye on it. If you have dogs then I would keep them inside. I would not try to handle it. If it feels threatened it could lash out and cause you harm. If the wildlife rehab people are coming I would leave it to them.

Thanks. That was my first instinct, too. I was planning to walk the dog instead of letting her out. It seems like the Wildlife rehab people don't do pickups. I am trying to figure out the best way to transport it.

 

[A2GG]

ask the wildlife rehab people how to transport the owl.

I once brought an injured mourning dove up to the wild bird rehab in my area.
They told me to pick it up and put it in a cardboard box and cover the box.
I lined the bottom of the box with a t-shirt. I poked some little holes in the top of the box for ventilation. Picking the bird up was the hard part. Naturally, the Dove didn’t want to be handled. Once in the box the bird calmed down and was pretty quiet during the drive up.

 

[delia todd]

Apart from wearing, if possible, thick gardening gloves (or the like), it's generally best to use a large towel to scoop them up in.

Putting it over the head seems to immediately calm them down.

 

[MikeInPA]

if you haven’t already done so call Wildlife in Need on 814 671 6594.

There’s a Hotline 814-414-4224

They should be able to help.

Wildlife In Need Emergency Response of Pennsylvania, Inc

 

[BirdsInTheYard]

if you haven’t already done so call Wildlife in Need on 814 671 6594.

There’s a Hotline 814-414-4224

They should be able to help.

Wildlife In Need Emergency Response of Pennsylvania, Inc

Thank you! I spoke to them and they are searching for someone in the area who can help with capture and transport.

 

[MikeInPA]

Thank you! I spoke to them and they are searching for someone in the area who can help with capture and transport.

Thank you for caring.

 

[BirdsInTheYard]

Thank you to everyone for your help. Sadly our friend seems to have passed on.

 

[Mono]

Sorry to hear that

 

[delia todd]

Thank you to everyone for your help. Sadly our friend seems to have passed on.

Oh what a shame that is.

Well done, and thanks for trying to assist him.

 

[Scott98]

RIP the beautiful owl. Hopefully humans had nothing to do w/ his demise

 

[BirdsInTheYard]

Thanks again to everyone. Here is the last shot from the owl's final valiant effort.

 

[BirdsInTheYard]

It was a sad day in our house, especially for our 2-year-old who kind of understood... but not really.