See the original story about the owl falling from the 100ft/30m bridge here!
Teamwork returns the Schenley Park owlet to her family!
With her medical care complete, we are pleased to share that the Schenley Park owlet admitted in February has been returned to her family, through the use of an artificial nest. This collaboration involved Pittsburgh City Park’s Director, Katelyn Vannoy, City Park Forestry Department and Park Rangers as well as TWC rehabilitators and volunteers. A bucket truck was used to secure an artificial nest near the roost tree of the father owl, within sight of the bridge nest where the remaining sibling is. Once the artificial nest was set, the owlet was placed in the nest.
After falling over 100’ from the nest site on Panther Hollow Bridge, the nestling owl needed treatment for a beak and tongue wound, as well as diagnostics and supportive care to ensure she had no fractures or internal injuries. Care was taken to ensure she did not “imprint” on humans, but maintained her identity as an owl.
Now 6 weeks old, this owlet can thermoregulate and does not need incubation. When she vocalizes with food beg calls, her parents will respond by bringing food. We will also be monitoring with a game camera, to ensure the parents respond. At this age, Great Horned Owlets begin “branching” and leave the nest to perch on a nearby branch, then return to the nest to nap. Over the next 3-4 weeks, she will practice perching, hopping, flapping and short flights before being fully able to fully fly at around age 9 weeks.
Great Horned Owls spend more time with their young than any other owl species in Pennsylvania, which is difficult to replicate in rehabilitation, so every effort is made to reunite young Great Horned Owls either with their family or a wild foster family. Six months or more are spent supporting their young and teaching them hunting skills, before encouraging their young to disperse in the fall.
Thank you to everyone who has supported this owlet’s treatment and re-nesting. Those visiting Schenley Park can assist by giving the owl family privacy and space.
If you would like to contribute and to be part of making this and other treatments and reunions possible, check out www.tamarackwildlife.org.
5·12 hours ago