Saw-Whet Owl in the Finger Lakes

New York seems to be scattered with raptor rescues, but none look to be open to the public. I didn't want to blow off the rest of the state outside NYC though, so this cute little guy is from Finger Lakes Raptor Center in Lodi, NY.

A young Northern Saw-whet Owl was found in a storm drain in Cortland County in early May and brought to the Wildlife Hospital at Cornell. There were just some scrapes, and a big bald patch on the back of the Owl’s head, but no major injuries.The baby Owl was transferred to FLRC.

At 98 grams (3.5 oz) Northern Saw-whet Owls are the smallest raptor in our area, and probably the fiercest! When old enough to start flying,the young Owl was moved to a large flight cage. He spent time perfecting his flight skills and aced mouse school, but he still had his bald spot. This lack of feathers could cause him to suffer from hypothermia or frostbite.

Fortunately this species of Owl molts their body and head feathers during their first summer.Success! All his head feathers grew in during his molt so no more bald spot and he was ready to be released.

The photos show what a difference there in in their firstplumage, and their second plumage. See our previous post for some video of this fierce, but cute, Saw-whet Owl.