Baby Booties

From Audubon Center for Birds of Prey

The Raptor Trauma Clinic team received a tiny patient last week. This pre-fledge Eastern Screech-Owl was found on a hot driveway, but the nest could not be located. With burns to its feet and hocks, it was admitted to the Center's ICU, where the team is closely monitoring its healing and growth. The "booties" pictured, handmade by Clinic staff, seem to be working to keep healing ointment on the feet.

Eastern Screech-Owls are cavity nesters, finding habitat in the large oaks around Central Florida and in dead and dying trees. The species does well in suburban areas, but keeping nest boxes in suitable locations and leaving dead or dying trees in areas away from asphalt and people are two ways to ensure flightless babies do not suffer burns if they fall from the nest.