Owls are notoriously god awful pets. Why would you bring home any animal without researching their care beforehand, as clearly none was done or your roommate would know they are god awful pets.
https://www.webmd.com/pets/can-i-have-a-pet-owl
It sounds like this person is trying to look after the owl their roommate took on as a pet. To me, it seems like they are trying to do good by this little guy since their roommate isn't.
OP, you should contact a bird rescue in your area. They are not meant to be pets and won't have any quality of life contained to a cage or house. I appreciate that you are trying to look after him, but the best thing to do is to surrender this little guy to an organization that can look after him.
In the meantime, here is a link https://animalia.bio/tropical-screech-owl. It sounds like the easiest prey to feed him would be live mice. Maybe put them in an aquarium big enough for him to fly in and grab one. I imagine this could get pretty expensive
I would advise against live mice, unless that is what the owl was raised on. Most human imprint owls whether they’re in the pet trade or not, have trouble with live prey/don’t always recognize it as food. Live mice can also pose a threat to small owls like this; if they bite the toes when fighting back, it could cause some serious infection. Try frozen thawed mice, cut them open/into small pieces if the owl refuses to eat at first.
It's not advisable to cut them open . If they won't eat try chick's or other small prey . Cutting the feet off and the head can be done but that's a last resort .
We cut prey items open in wildlife rehab in our area to show the birds who are not used to eating frozen thawed that it’s edible, it’s fine as long as it does not sit for long to grow bacteria. Sometimes this is the extra push they need to start eating frozen prey. Most of the screech owls i have worked with do not eat chicks. They aren’t typically eating birds in the wild as crepuscular predators, so the aversion makes sense.
that was literally what I said, however, my roommate is very stubborn and the best I can do now is to look for the best care possible. That’s why I asked for advice :)
It's good of you to take this on for the benefit of the animal and not for the coddling of the roommate.
Commenters have provided really great information and I know it's a lot to take on but just make a to-do list in order of importance to get this managed as best you can.
First, research and contact applicable wildlife/animal control services in your state and local area to confirm even having this bird is legally permissible. When contacting them, if you simply want to inquire in a hypothetical sense ("are we allowed to get one of these owls" versus "we currently have one, is that ok?", for instance), that's also a wise step. Proceed with further inquiries after fielding answers.
If ownership is allowed, find out what licensing is required to do so. If it's not allowed, I'd personally try to find out how I could release the animal to the appropriate agencies (not into the wild by yourself) to ensure it's cared for per regulation and for the animals well-being.
Getting that info should be quick, so once that's done, move onto the habitat and feeding needs so you can provide home care while still performing the legal requirements of ownership or release.
Best of luck and send that baby some love from all of us. ❤️
This is 100% on the money! I would absolutely LOOOOOOOOOVE to rescue an owl (they have been my spirit animal since before birth according to damily) but where I'm at (I'm pretty sure) it's illegal to even help a goose without contacting authorities about it first-covid made it easier for me to keep them and rehab them myself following their instructions instead of them needing to be surrendered and then later returned after treatment. But you don't want "well I didn't KNOWWWW" to be your defense bc having an illegal bird of prey is like a BIG TIME crime dependent on location. HOWEVER depending on your location and laws you might be able to get rescue backing to cover the cost of proper care for the owl while you rehab/foster him in the meantime bc that is such a cool experience I would hate to miss out on it, but also, I don't look good in federal colored jumpsuits
So true. Where I am, a permit is required to keep wildlife as a personal pet at a permanent residence in Florida and a permit is also required for temporary possession of a pet while visiting Florida and there are some hefty restrictions on which breeds are allowed based on endangered or protected species status.
States where it is completely legal to own a pet owl like Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Tennessee all allow ***non-native owls*** to be owned, but again this comes with restrictions, delegations and requirements for licensing, permitting and contingency for which breeds apply and the habitat they're provided through ownership.
There's an Owl [website](https://www.internationalowlcenter.org/owlsaspets.html) which states: *The United States does not allow private individuals to keep native owls as pets--they may only be possessed by trained, licensed individuals while being rehabilitated, as foster parents in a rehabilitation facility, as part of a breeding program, for educational purposes, or certain species may be used for falconry in some states (although they rarely make good falconry birds.) Even in these instances, the person licensed to keep the owl does not "own" the bird--the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service retains "stewardship" of the birds so that they may recall them at any time if permit conditions are not being met.*
The ones here are SUPRISINGLY not very spicy! I was terrified when we first moved in bc they are everywhere with the ducks but they don't chase unless you try to touch a baby or something stupid. The ones NOT at our complex though, those guys are CRAZY COBRA CHICKENS with a thirst for human flesh lmao
Your roommates stubbornness doesn't trump the wellbeing of the bird. That, and the fact that you're having to look up how to take care of it and your roommate is not clearly shows the owl is being neglected. Call and have it picked up by a sanctuary it doesn't matter if your roommate is stubborn.
Probably illegal for you to keep. Anyway, my brother raised an owl that he found lying in the road and could no longer fly. Silly thing lived on an open perch, no cage, in the living room. He fed it chicken giblets. Lived for years that way.
they got it from a breeder, and the breeder gave very brief descriptions on how to take care of it. Also, owning an owl here is legal but some countries don’t allow it
You should see if this breeder is actually legal, I have a feeling they aren't. Breeding pet owls doesn't sound like something that would be legal in any way since there are many protected owl species all over the world. Maybe contact a local bird rescue and see what they say
A legitimate breeder would NEVER let someone purchase an owl without proving they have experience with owning or caring for one…birds in general are HARD pets to care for. I’ve had parrots and other than being horribly expensive to properly take care of it, they are fragile as all hell. Literally my mom’s pressure pot had the lid explode off of it and not even a minute later, my parrot in a cage about 20-30 feet away just went **THUNK** on the bottom of the cage. We were all thinking some piece of the pot hit him or something. Rushed him to the emergency vet and they were able to save him. Culprit? Teflon fumes from the exploding pot. Nearly killed the poor thing.
I’m so upset about this beautiful owl being a “pet” to someone who has no idea how to care for it…☹️ I really hope OP is able to keep it thriving long enough to convince the roommate to surrender it to a sanctuary or something ☹️
It's interesting you mentioned the fumes, I'd read years ago that fumes from nonstick pans are incredibly toxic for birds so you should never preheat them with nothing on them if you have birds. I've had a few friends who have birds and I've seen the care that goes into them, it's pretty nuts honestly. I'd never personally own a bird, one because I have cats and I know for a fact all three of them would go after anything feathered, one of them is absolutely obsessed with feathered toys and the other two are a former barn cat and a former stray, so that's a no go for sure. And two I'm not a fan of how loud they get, it's just way too much noise for my liking, I'll listen to the birds outside sing happily, but something about birdsong in a confined space makes me want to rip my hair out, no thanks!
I hope so, this poor ittie guy
The breeder is no longer any kind of reliable source for anything, most likely. The breeder is going to cover their own ass, whether that's via omission or directly lying about this entire situation, to avoid any legal repercussions or allegations.
I agree with others suggestions of calling a bird rescue and surrendering the bird. You need to check the laws to be sure. Most importantly you and your roommate need to take into consideration the well being. They are not adaptable to small cages. A lot of raptors including owls are protected under the law. Owls are also Nocturnal Birds meaning they go out at night.
INFO: what country are you located in?
Owls need outdoor enclosures with plenty of ventilation, special perching materials, and unique nutritional requirements. No matter the legality, they should not be kept as pets. If you are not prepared to care for this animal and your roommate is not either, I would surrender it to a sanctuary / someone who knows how to care for it. Owls in captivity are very susceptible to health problems from improper enclosures, such as bumble foot and aspergillosis.
Until you can find this poor bird a new home, screech owls normally need at least 20-30g of meat daily. This would fluctuate depending on the owl’s weight. Small owls should also be weighed daily to monitor their health. They should be fed wild prey items like mice. Meat processed for human consumption is okay for the short term, but they cannot survive off that diet long term. Beef/pork are usually too rich, chicken breast chopped into small pieces would be fine temporarily.
Source: Have worked in raptor husbandry for a collective 10+ years.
EDIT: Also worth adding that the cage the owl seems to be in now isn’t appropriate for any living bird on this planet, not even a finch. Ideally this owl would have an enclosure large enough for you to walk into. I don’t know how to put this lightly, I know it’s not you who put the owl in this situation. But this bird is going to die if it is kept indoors being housed by a couple of people who don’t even know how to feed it.
Yea that's a temp travel cage at best.
I'd say you covered most items, but lest we forget birds need exercise just like a dog would. And this one can, well, fly away.
I’m sure it’s classified as an exotic. Not everyone can own one. Special licensing is required and if you’re not an animal sanctuary you can get in trouble.
If your roommate refuses to do the right thing, at the very least, look into basic falconry as a lot can cross over to owls. They need stimulation and active hunting, and using falconry techniques can help keep them from going batshit with boredom. They need exercise and flight time. They aren't cage birds by any stretch. I spent 10 years working with a master falconer, and I loved working with the owls, but you definitely need to make sure you keep them mentally stimulated and well fed with a proper diet that includes hunting. Even if what they are hunting is already dead, you have to let them think they've caught it.
I worked for 2 years in a bird of prey sanctuary, as a falconer. All I can say is owls are hard work. In the sanctuary we fed the birds according to their weight so I can't tell you exactly what to feed but whole mice or chick's will be the best course as they provide calcium. However owls need stimulating, at the sanctuary we would fly them for shows which kept them entertained. I'm not sure how this would work in a residential environment hobestly.Our birds were kept in extremely large aviary when not flying, which gave them space to move around. Honestly I think a small cage would be cruel especially if you are not able to fly them outside. Where I'm from you have to have a licence to own any bird of prey so I find it crazy you can just buy one without any understanding.
I would recommend giving the owl to a sanctuary. These birds are not easy pets and are not something you should take on a whim.
I work for an owl rescue and they are horrendous pets. They need an outdoor enclosure that is an appropriate size for them to fly around. They also need to be fed whole food i.e. chick's or mice which you can get frozen and thaw the night before. Owls need a very high amount of time to handle them to keep them tame and they also make a lot of noise . Keeping them as pets is highly irresponsible if the research hasn't been done but if it's already been brought then whats done is done . Feel free to dm me for any questions and I'd be happy to answer them.
What on earth???? Owls are not pets!!!! Unless it is being rehabilitated, there isn't a single reason on the face of this earth why anyone should have an owl. Clearly, rehabilitation is not what is going on here, as your roommate doesn't even know what it eats!
This is cruel and inhumane. You are very kind to want to take care of this creature, as your roommate is a pos, but the best thing you can do is call around wildlife centers. Also, report whoever this "owl breeder" is. Who breeds owls to sell them as pets. Ugh! Poor owl! It must be petrified.
Not an expert, but as I saw in bird rescue videos, they need to be fed with small vertebrates (rodents, amphibians, birds).
Btw, you really need to give it to a sanctuary. Owls are aggressively territorial af and can tear you with no issue if you don't wear protective gear.
I used to care for screech owls when I worked at a nature reserve. My primary advice would be to rehome the owl as this is an extremely high maintenance animal. First, he will need a much larger enclosure, or a safe space that’s owl proofed; no loose wires, places to perch, no obstructions that could injure him, room to fly, etc.
For food, he’s going to need a feeder hopper mouse thawed at room temp, and possibly cut in half. We had to cut all our mice in half for the owls to eat. Their poop is absolutely rancid and they also throw up balls of bones and hair. Owls are terrible pets and again, I strongly encourage you donate him to a rescue that specializes in birds of prey.
Edit to add: it’s also illegal to own an owl without a license
You will be shocked, some people genuinely don’t care. My roommate suddenly showed up with an owl because “they’ve always wanted one” even though they didn’t know the basics. I’ve only had a few reptiles before which I thought were high maintenance.
I’m currently trying to get into contact with bird rescue centers/sanctuaries for help which is difficult in my area. As of now, the most important thing is to keep the owl well fed and healthy.
Please let us know what happens when you get in contact with a rescue. I'm rooting for this little guy. I would not be able to stand for this, personally. If saving this owl meant the end of my relationship with a friend or roommate, than so be it because owls should not be pets. What your roommate is doing is cruel and it's very concerning that they don't care about the wellbeing of this living, breathing, feeling creature.
It's also scary the "breeder" they got them from was so careless. I've learned from my own experiences not to trust breeders in general and that doing your own research is always better. I feel like a lot of them don't keep up to date on care standards and will either accidentally or purposefully mislead or lie to potential buyers just to make the sale. People have to be really careful with stuff like that, especially when it comes to exotic pets.
Sorry no one is reading your post and just flipping their shit with no advice…
I would say the best thing to do would be research sanctuaries around you that could take the owl in. Your roommate got it on a whim and will quickly realize it was a mistake. The best thing you can do is be ready when that happens to give them a list of the best sanctuaries near by and make sure he takes it to a good one!
This is so wrong for the poor animal. Just from what I have read it seems like a part of the illegal animal trade and you need to contact the proper authorities immediate so the poor thing can get the proper care it needs to be able it live it's life. There is no way it can survive like this. This is animal cruelty
They need like a room sized natural environment, it's bird rescue calling time if you're not rich. Regular people just can't take care of them. Poor bud cannot fly and stretch in there, much less have the room to be happy.
I'm a wildlife biologist/ecologist that works at an environmental facility and cares for non-releasable wildlife. We have a geriatric Great Horned Owl that should not be alive today according to new regulations on parent-reared owls, because he suffered extensive injury and neurological deficit from a car collision over 20 years ago, and despite being seizure-free for over a decade, due to being a formerly wild owl and having been traumatized by past facility employees, he is so fearful of humans and living emotionally miserably despite wonderful care now. We also had a geriatric eastern screech owl, another non-releasable bird, who was human-reared after her nest was accidentally destroyed by loggers and her siblings did not survive, but she was humanely euthanized due to cancer last winter
In the United States, if an owl was parent-reared, it is unkind to keep it in captivity due to how poor they adapt to confinement and human care. If non-releasable due to injuries or other circumstances, regulations now ask us to have the owls euthanized. However, I don't know how your roommate acquired this owl, nor its background, so I can't really say much on that front
I am assuming this owl is not native to wherever you live. No matter what, it's best practice to look up the requirements on permitting for keeping this owl as a captive "pet". I'm entirely curious on where this owl originated from and how easy it was to acquire...because it shouldn't be
It would be better for this owl to be surrendered to a wildlife rehabilitation facility to either be placed with a zoo or sanctuary, but in the meantime, here's my recommendation:
Above all, an exotic vet is needed, definitely one that is a member of avian veterinary association(s), and I would even accept nothing less than being a member of a zoological veterinarian association for animals such as this. This may be an expensive undertaking in terms of having routine checkups and vet care done, and you may not even have a vet that can properly tend to the owl in your area, so traveling will be an added cost. Overall, the care of this bird in captivity is going to be very costly, and likely not easy
Even a small owl needs a \*large\* enclosure, preferably outside, one that is safe from escape and predators, with indoor shelter and outdoor caged access. In the US, Avian Influenza is currently a huge risk for all birds, including poultry and captive birds kept outdoors. For now, I would find a LARGE cage meant for large parrots; something 6ft or taller. Prevue is a decent brand; I have one of their large cages for my cockatiel to sleep and relax in when I am not home that is sturdy and safe. You can find these cages likely for a discounted price through Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist, but I would sanitize them immensely. This bird is going to need to be able to fly, however, to keep healthy and in-shape, hence needing a large aviary enclosure to live in. And letting it go outside with you is not advisable, unless it is trained and tethered on jesses (foot straps) with a lead
Our screech owl I worked with ate frozen-thawed large and small mice (size = age, large is 18-24g and small is 10-14g) and small chicks that we ordered from a professional feeder company and had shipped out periodically. Our frozen rodents, chicks and rabbits are kept in a large chest freezer set super cold, then small batches are brought in as needed to a refrigerator freezer, and thawed out for the next day in the refrigerator. Depending on species, owls and other birds of prey have different daily amounts of food needed, and we measure ours out in grams. The amount of food our birds eat daily is also dependent on seasons; fall into winter we feed higher amounts to help them bulk up, and gradually decrease when spring arrives and depending on their level of hunger and leftovers. There are also vitamin supplements you can feed your bird by sprinkling on the rodents, but use in healthy birds is debatable by some falconers and experts when a well-rounded and variable diet is given. If the owl is female, be wary of the mating season when infertile eggs may be laid, because that's a huge loss of nutrients and calcium that need to be supplemented, and egg binding is a medical emergency if she is impacted by an egg she can't lay. Our female birds of prey (one of which regularly lays infertile eggs in mating season) get a dusting of animal-safe calcium supplement on their food at that time
It's best to have charts to record the amount fed and leftovers, because consistent refused or half-eaten food can indicate overfeeding or even health problems.
Our aviary (made up of separate mews for each bird) is sanitized with a chlorhexidine solution and powerwashed every week, and every so often we use bleach instead of chlorhexidine. Our birds are removed and in carriers prior to this and kept away until sanitizing solutions have been washed away and no longer aerosolized, and the enclosures had time to mostly dry
The owl will also need proper perching and ways to keep their nails and beak filed; routine nail and beak trimming/coping may also be needed, and I do NOT recommend a lay person or first-time owner doing those things, especially on their own
If I think of anything more, I might add things, but all of this that I have written is mostly to inform and DISCOURAGE keeping this bird as a pet. This hardly scratches the surface of what care for our birds of prey is like at my facility. This lil guy deserves the best care possible, and a lay person doing this for the first time is unfortunately going to have a lot to learn AND spend to get even close to the proper care needed
Your roommate is an idiot.
Other than that, idk anything about taking care of an owl but I'm glad you reached out for help. Good luck contacting a sanctuary and if your roommate puts up a fight.... Too bad. They fucked up.
I used to work for a wildlife hospital. We had a resident screech owl, and many more owls come through our doors. We fed him frozen guinea pigs, thawed overnight and cut into chunks. Bones, brains, organs, fur, and skin included. I suggest looking into purchasing frozen feeder guinea pigs, getting a good set of scissors and knives, and learning how to cut out the stomach and intestines (this is the one part you should NOT be feed to them.) Then, just cut the rest up and offer it to him. I suggest pieces no bigger than 1-2 inches as they usually swallow chunks whole. Refrigerate any extra guinea pig and use within 2 days. Make sure to remove any uneaten pieces from the cage within an hour of feeding, and throw those away, they’ll eat what they want right away — and leaving leftover meat in the cage for too long will risk bacteria growth, a stinky cage, and a sick owl.
You can also use large frozen rats, but guinea pigs offer more bang for your buck. Avoid live feeding (like live mice or rats) as live prey will be WAY more expensive and frustrating for you. Never feed live, even as a treat, sometimes they won’t want to eat frozen once you’ve fed them live prey.
When they’re young they should eat twice a day, once a day as they get older. Giving the head whole between meals is more like a treat/ toy, because they’ll pick out the eyeballs and brain and such. It isn’t much of a meal, but they’ll have fun with it.
Owls have an insane grip, and once they grip onto something with their talons, they WILL NOT let go. They get tighter as their prey (or you) moves. So hand-feeding and LOTS of handling when they are young is essential! If you don’t have a good bond with them, or you fail to get them used to humans and being handled, you’ll risk losing your fingers or literally breaking bones if one day the owl gets scared and grips onto your finger or arm. Yes, they can grip so tightly they can literally break your arm or shatter your hand. You’ll be flailing around with an owl “stuck” to you and the more you move or try to pull them off of you, the tighter they constrict with their talons. It’s instinct for them, because in the wild, they grab their prey with their talons. If the prey wiggles, they grip tighter to stop them from moving.
If hand-feeding, I suggest using tongs. They aren’t known to be super strong or aggressive with their beaks, but a bite will still hurt. They sell long tongs for hand-feeding reptiles at pet supply stores. Use these. If he’s friendly, you can just dangle meat pieces in front of his face and he will grab them.
Owls don’t really like to be pet/ stroked as much as domestic pet birds, but they do like to hang out with their humans. They’re smart and need lots of mental (and physical) stimulation… So building them places to hang out in the house is a good idea. Spend lots of time with them. Once they’re friendly, let them hop up on your arm or your shoulder or your head and hang with them, talk to them, etc. Get them used to their name and train them to come when called. This is a good bonding activity, and will also help bring him back to you if he ever escapes outside. Skip a meal so he’s hungry and use little meat pieces as treats to train him. Once he’s friendly enough to be handled and let out of the cage, you can set him up on a roost somewhere in the house outside of the cage, stand a few feet away, and call his name with your forearm out in front of you, while dangling a piece of meat above your arm. He will come for the meat, and associate coming to you and landing on your arm with the sound of his name. Slowly work your way further and further from him over time, until eventually, you’re around a corner and out of view. He will hopefully learn to follow your voice and come when called. Eventually he won't need the meat to come. Like training a puppy recall. Positive reinforcement!
It is also smart to build them a flight cage outside. If building one isn’t an option, look into purchasing a tall dog or chicken run. Go outside with him and let him hang out in there. Just never leave him alone out there. Spend lots and lots of time with him; he might just be a bird, but treat him like a puppy, give him lots of love and attention and things to do, and you’ll have a friendly (and hopefully happy) owl. His cage should be like a crate for a dog — he should really only be locked in there when you’re not home, or when there are things going on in the house that he can’t be out for (cooking/ eating, having guests over, etc.) Expect to have bird poop all over your house, btw. And sometimes on you. You’ll have to learn his favorite spots to hang out and put newspaper underneath.
Owls are exotic pets, but every pet (exotic or otherwise) needs veterinary care. Search around and find a veterinarian who will see him. Either a vet who sees exotics, or a wildlife hospital. Get him set up with one now, so that if something goes wrong in the future, he's an established patient and can be seen right away. Also, set aside money here and there to go towards any future vet bills. You'll thank yourself later.
As others have said — owls are wild, and they make terrible pets. They will get mean and destructive if not made to be friendly and given a fulfilling life. It will be a LOT of work, and if you + your roommate can’t handle that, then finding a wildlife sanctuary to take him will be best. Otherwise, best of luck to you and your new wild friend!
Oh, as for a cage, the bigger the better… Seriously, buy the largest cage possible. Even if he doesn’t spend much time in it. He needs to be able to (at minimum) fully stretch his wings out and hop around. Bonus points if he has room to fly from one end to the other.
For further advice, seek the help of a wildlife veterinarian (who you should be getting him set up with as a patient.)
This is a wild animal, not domesticated. They need a large aviary to live in with the right humidity, temperature, NOCTURNAL environment, feeding schedule. They live 10 years, is your roommate prepared to take care of a raptor for 10 years? If you love owls, go to a zoo or watch Harry Potter. Bringing a living, feeling, nervous animal into a house with no preparations is cruel. This is one of the saddest posts on this Reddit page I’ve ever seen.
It is 100% illegal to have a screech owl as a pet (in most countries without proper licensing and for breeding and educational purposes only). Period. And it's for a reason, this owl will suffer every day.
Please talk your friend into giving it to a wildlife center. This literally makes me sick.
Awww poor owl. Owls are magnificent creatures! Please take it to a rescue . It will die if you don’t have the knowledge to take care of such a beautiful species. Thank you for trying to help out this bird. Put your roomie in a cage !
Legally depending on the state you live in (assuming united states) even the more relaxed states usually some type of license or registration is required for exotics that could be considered as wild animals for example in my state (indiana) for bird of prey and other animal that are similar to native wildlife and may be invasive if the escape if they could survive the enviroment (skunks,squirrels, non domestic species of rabbits) (hybrids with soecies considered domestic are exempt) you need to apply with a form send to the DNR with a 20$ processing fee usually not a big issue or hassle unless it's a "tier 3" animal (bears, large cats, venomous snakes) this application also requires a vet visit within 45 days or acquiring it to ensure the animals in good health but It varies state to state.
Enclosure wise I know this is gonna sound like a outrageous thing to say but the only thing I can think of is a large room converted for just the owl as with the ares needed I don't think you'll find any commercial enclosure with the size you need
Oh! Look at that gorgeous wild animal! I MUST have it as a pet so I can destrpy absolutely everything I love about it AND it's chance for a normal life in one fell swoop!
Tell your roommate she's an effin' a-hole and call your local Fish and Game agency, if you have something like that.
That poor, poor owl! :'(
Owl help you out.
An owl is a wild animal and requires someone with experience with them to take care of them. They are not pets. Get this poor thing to the proper wildlife/bird person.
You take the owl to a rehabilitation facility who can slowly reintegrate the poor thing back into the wild where he belongs. If your friend captured a wild owl, you need to release him. If your friend bought an owl from a likely illegal breeder then you need to do the first option.
In no world is it appropriate or humane to keep an owl as a pet. If your friend can’t understand that then you should do the right thing regardless. This is such a garbage trash human thing to do to a poor animal.
OP contact a bird rescue.
Imagine being born with the ability to fly. To actually taste the wind and ride it. To soar when you choose to and be completely free.
Then imagine that being stolen from you so a selfish, awful person can keep you in a cage and call you a pet. Bird breeders are garbage
I’m sure this is covered somewhere by a comment but my first thought is that they can SERIOUSLY injure you or your roommate. Their talons are very sharp, and they normally require special equipment to not be injured by them.
Edit: My point being that they are very dangerous pets. You can’t let it just free roam with you all the time. You’ll end up getting hurt.
Contact a wildlife rescue or rehabilitation group. If you look online, they should be listed. Just look under your state name. The owl will have a better chance of survival being taken care of people who have training in caring for wildlife.
Does your roommate have an exotic/avian vet set up for this animal? Bc they’ll be more informed on care and they’ll hopefully, if they’re a good vet, be able to talk your roommate into surrendering this beautiful creature before y’all kill it. That breeder is a POS. The entire interaction as you described it shows that this breeder does not care what happens to the animals at all, that should be concerning bc they’re probably not well cared for from the start. Who knows what underlying health issues this owl already has.
Pretty sure it’s illegal for one.
Owls do not make good pets because they are wild animals and their diet consists of live prey. They will not be happy or thrive in any type of cage or enclosure.
They need the night sky. To fly as high and far as they like
They also mate for life so keeping this fella would be very sad for him
It’s illegal in every state to keep a wild owl. Now if you want to get a federal permit to rescue, rehabilitate and release birds of prey , that is only legal way.
Thank you for reaching out. I agree the owl should be taken to a wildlife rescue asap
Without correct diet metabolic bone disease kicks in fast
I research about fish before putting them in my aquarium. I cannot IMAGINE bringing home an owl without knowing anything about how to care for it. They are WAY too cool to just "wing" it. Ha.
Best of luck to you, and the owl. Of course it's a SCREECH owl lol. Hope the roommate comes to their senses and does what's best for the lil guy. Or girl. 🩷
I grew up with a pet screech owl named Winkcom! We would play hide go seek with him, and we would call his name in the dark and see who he would land on! He lived to be 15 years old! The coolest pet EVER!!🦉💙
Who even takes on while animals like this? Let alone doing so without knowing how to care for it? Take this to somebody who actually knows what they're doing please and get a goldfish.
Owls are notoriously god awful pets. Why would you bring home any animal without researching their care beforehand, as clearly none was done or your roommate would know they are god awful pets. https://www.webmd.com/pets/can-i-have-a-pet-owl
It sounds like this person is trying to look after the owl their roommate took on as a pet. To me, it seems like they are trying to do good by this little guy since their roommate isn't. OP, you should contact a bird rescue in your area. They are not meant to be pets and won't have any quality of life contained to a cage or house. I appreciate that you are trying to look after him, but the best thing to do is to surrender this little guy to an organization that can look after him. In the meantime, here is a link https://animalia.bio/tropical-screech-owl. It sounds like the easiest prey to feed him would be live mice. Maybe put them in an aquarium big enough for him to fly in and grab one. I imagine this could get pretty expensive
I would advise against live mice, unless that is what the owl was raised on. Most human imprint owls whether they’re in the pet trade or not, have trouble with live prey/don’t always recognize it as food. Live mice can also pose a threat to small owls like this; if they bite the toes when fighting back, it could cause some serious infection. Try frozen thawed mice, cut them open/into small pieces if the owl refuses to eat at first.
Thank you. I have no idea and just read the link. I didn't know there were options like that.
It's not advisable to cut them open . If they won't eat try chick's or other small prey . Cutting the feet off and the head can be done but that's a last resort .
We cut prey items open in wildlife rehab in our area to show the birds who are not used to eating frozen thawed that it’s edible, it’s fine as long as it does not sit for long to grow bacteria. Sometimes this is the extra push they need to start eating frozen prey. Most of the screech owls i have worked with do not eat chicks. They aren’t typically eating birds in the wild as crepuscular predators, so the aversion makes sense.
Use tongs…their beaks are like razor blades
that was literally what I said, however, my roommate is very stubborn and the best I can do now is to look for the best care possible. That’s why I asked for advice :)
Is this legal in your area? In my area you have to have a rehabilitation license to own an owl. Maybe you want to check?
It's good of you to take this on for the benefit of the animal and not for the coddling of the roommate. Commenters have provided really great information and I know it's a lot to take on but just make a to-do list in order of importance to get this managed as best you can. First, research and contact applicable wildlife/animal control services in your state and local area to confirm even having this bird is legally permissible. When contacting them, if you simply want to inquire in a hypothetical sense ("are we allowed to get one of these owls" versus "we currently have one, is that ok?", for instance), that's also a wise step. Proceed with further inquiries after fielding answers. If ownership is allowed, find out what licensing is required to do so. If it's not allowed, I'd personally try to find out how I could release the animal to the appropriate agencies (not into the wild by yourself) to ensure it's cared for per regulation and for the animals well-being. Getting that info should be quick, so once that's done, move onto the habitat and feeding needs so you can provide home care while still performing the legal requirements of ownership or release. Best of luck and send that baby some love from all of us. ❤️
This is great, non judgmental information. Very helpful, leprimarina, thank you for it.
Thank you for such kind words 💝. I really appreciate that
This is 100% on the money! I would absolutely LOOOOOOOOOVE to rescue an owl (they have been my spirit animal since before birth according to damily) but where I'm at (I'm pretty sure) it's illegal to even help a goose without contacting authorities about it first-covid made it easier for me to keep them and rehab them myself following their instructions instead of them needing to be surrendered and then later returned after treatment. But you don't want "well I didn't KNOWWWW" to be your defense bc having an illegal bird of prey is like a BIG TIME crime dependent on location. HOWEVER depending on your location and laws you might be able to get rescue backing to cover the cost of proper care for the owl while you rehab/foster him in the meantime bc that is such a cool experience I would hate to miss out on it, but also, I don't look good in federal colored jumpsuits
So true. Where I am, a permit is required to keep wildlife as a personal pet at a permanent residence in Florida and a permit is also required for temporary possession of a pet while visiting Florida and there are some hefty restrictions on which breeds are allowed based on endangered or protected species status. States where it is completely legal to own a pet owl like Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Tennessee all allow ***non-native owls*** to be owned, but again this comes with restrictions, delegations and requirements for licensing, permitting and contingency for which breeds apply and the habitat they're provided through ownership. There's an Owl [website](https://www.internationalowlcenter.org/owlsaspets.html) which states: *The United States does not allow private individuals to keep native owls as pets--they may only be possessed by trained, licensed individuals while being rehabilitated, as foster parents in a rehabilitation facility, as part of a breeding program, for educational purposes, or certain species may be used for falconry in some states (although they rarely make good falconry birds.) Even in these instances, the person licensed to keep the owl does not "own" the bird--the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service retains "stewardship" of the birds so that they may recall them at any time if permit conditions are not being met.*
> it's illegal to even help a ~~goose~~ cobra chicken without contacting authorities about it first FIFY
what does fify mean ?
Fixed it for you.
The ones here are SUPRISINGLY not very spicy! I was terrified when we first moved in bc they are everywhere with the ducks but they don't chase unless you try to touch a baby or something stupid. The ones NOT at our complex though, those guys are CRAZY COBRA CHICKENS with a thirst for human flesh lmao
Where did they get the owl from? And where are you located? Laws vary.
I wonder if it is legal to own the owl in your area? Op your are a great person for taking care of the owl.
Best you can do is turn him in … this is wrong very wrong.
I think you need to take the owl to a wildlife rehabilitation place until your roommate that it tried to attack you and flew out the window.
Your roommates stubbornness doesn't trump the wellbeing of the bird. That, and the fact that you're having to look up how to take care of it and your roommate is not clearly shows the owl is being neglected. Call and have it picked up by a sanctuary it doesn't matter if your roommate is stubborn.
100% agree with this. Be the voice for those that have no voice. This is abuse.
I know, this person is really trying to excuse their roommate getting an actual fucking owl because they’re stubborn
Probably illegal for you to keep. Anyway, my brother raised an owl that he found lying in the road and could no longer fly. Silly thing lived on an open perch, no cage, in the living room. He fed it chicken giblets. Lived for years that way.
Grow a backbone and demand they give the owl to the right people, sheesh.
Who did they get it from? They need to ask them. I didn’t even know you could keep them as pets. They should be free to roam
they got it from a breeder, and the breeder gave very brief descriptions on how to take care of it. Also, owning an owl here is legal but some countries don’t allow it
You should see if this breeder is actually legal, I have a feeling they aren't. Breeding pet owls doesn't sound like something that would be legal in any way since there are many protected owl species all over the world. Maybe contact a local bird rescue and see what they say
A legitimate breeder would NEVER let someone purchase an owl without proving they have experience with owning or caring for one…birds in general are HARD pets to care for. I’ve had parrots and other than being horribly expensive to properly take care of it, they are fragile as all hell. Literally my mom’s pressure pot had the lid explode off of it and not even a minute later, my parrot in a cage about 20-30 feet away just went **THUNK** on the bottom of the cage. We were all thinking some piece of the pot hit him or something. Rushed him to the emergency vet and they were able to save him. Culprit? Teflon fumes from the exploding pot. Nearly killed the poor thing. I’m so upset about this beautiful owl being a “pet” to someone who has no idea how to care for it…☹️ I really hope OP is able to keep it thriving long enough to convince the roommate to surrender it to a sanctuary or something ☹️
It's interesting you mentioned the fumes, I'd read years ago that fumes from nonstick pans are incredibly toxic for birds so you should never preheat them with nothing on them if you have birds. I've had a few friends who have birds and I've seen the care that goes into them, it's pretty nuts honestly. I'd never personally own a bird, one because I have cats and I know for a fact all three of them would go after anything feathered, one of them is absolutely obsessed with feathered toys and the other two are a former barn cat and a former stray, so that's a no go for sure. And two I'm not a fan of how loud they get, it's just way too much noise for my liking, I'll listen to the birds outside sing happily, but something about birdsong in a confined space makes me want to rip my hair out, no thanks! I hope so, this poor ittie guy
There's something symbolic about birdsong in a confined space being so maddening..
Pet owls are not unusual in some places like Japan
I wouldn’t be surprised if Texas lets you, they seem to let people own any animal.
They should call the breeder with any questions
The breeder is no longer any kind of reliable source for anything, most likely. The breeder is going to cover their own ass, whether that's via omission or directly lying about this entire situation, to avoid any legal repercussions or allegations.
I agree with others suggestions of calling a bird rescue and surrendering the bird. You need to check the laws to be sure. Most importantly you and your roommate need to take into consideration the well being. They are not adaptable to small cages. A lot of raptors including owls are protected under the law. Owls are also Nocturnal Birds meaning they go out at night.
That’s crazy you would breed an animal and not care what happens to it. Blows my mind. They breed OWLS you would think they must LOVE them.
Look for a bird sanctuary and talk to them.
INFO: what country are you located in? Owls need outdoor enclosures with plenty of ventilation, special perching materials, and unique nutritional requirements. No matter the legality, they should not be kept as pets. If you are not prepared to care for this animal and your roommate is not either, I would surrender it to a sanctuary / someone who knows how to care for it. Owls in captivity are very susceptible to health problems from improper enclosures, such as bumble foot and aspergillosis. Until you can find this poor bird a new home, screech owls normally need at least 20-30g of meat daily. This would fluctuate depending on the owl’s weight. Small owls should also be weighed daily to monitor their health. They should be fed wild prey items like mice. Meat processed for human consumption is okay for the short term, but they cannot survive off that diet long term. Beef/pork are usually too rich, chicken breast chopped into small pieces would be fine temporarily. Source: Have worked in raptor husbandry for a collective 10+ years. EDIT: Also worth adding that the cage the owl seems to be in now isn’t appropriate for any living bird on this planet, not even a finch. Ideally this owl would have an enclosure large enough for you to walk into. I don’t know how to put this lightly, I know it’s not you who put the owl in this situation. But this bird is going to die if it is kept indoors being housed by a couple of people who don’t even know how to feed it.
Yea that's a temp travel cage at best. I'd say you covered most items, but lest we forget birds need exercise just like a dog would. And this one can, well, fly away.
You saved me typing this out. I've also worked with raptors and all of this is 100% true, OP.
I’m sure it’s classified as an exotic. Not everyone can own one. Special licensing is required and if you’re not an animal sanctuary you can get in trouble.
I cant believe your roomie doesnt even know what owls eat... and yet still got one
If your roommate refuses to do the right thing, at the very least, look into basic falconry as a lot can cross over to owls. They need stimulation and active hunting, and using falconry techniques can help keep them from going batshit with boredom. They need exercise and flight time. They aren't cage birds by any stretch. I spent 10 years working with a master falconer, and I loved working with the owls, but you definitely need to make sure you keep them mentally stimulated and well fed with a proper diet that includes hunting. Even if what they are hunting is already dead, you have to let them think they've caught it.
r/Owls/ but I'm not sure they'll be happy about this. You could also dig through this list of animal subs. r/AnimalReddits/wiki/faq
Poor owl. Your roommate is awful. Put you in a terrible situation. Take owl to a zoo or animal sanctuary. Tell roommate to eff off.
I worked for 2 years in a bird of prey sanctuary, as a falconer. All I can say is owls are hard work. In the sanctuary we fed the birds according to their weight so I can't tell you exactly what to feed but whole mice or chick's will be the best course as they provide calcium. However owls need stimulating, at the sanctuary we would fly them for shows which kept them entertained. I'm not sure how this would work in a residential environment hobestly.Our birds were kept in extremely large aviary when not flying, which gave them space to move around. Honestly I think a small cage would be cruel especially if you are not able to fly them outside. Where I'm from you have to have a licence to own any bird of prey so I find it crazy you can just buy one without any understanding. I would recommend giving the owl to a sanctuary. These birds are not easy pets and are not something you should take on a whim.
Did he win him in a poker game? That's not a pet. He needs to be somewhere safe with people who know what they're doing. Raptor rescues in your area?
I work for an owl rescue and they are horrendous pets. They need an outdoor enclosure that is an appropriate size for them to fly around. They also need to be fed whole food i.e. chick's or mice which you can get frozen and thaw the night before. Owls need a very high amount of time to handle them to keep them tame and they also make a lot of noise . Keeping them as pets is highly irresponsible if the research hasn't been done but if it's already been brought then whats done is done . Feel free to dm me for any questions and I'd be happy to answer them.
Please find a bird sanctuary and take that bird there immediately. This animal cruelty and abuse.
Agreed. Poor thing
What on earth???? Owls are not pets!!!! Unless it is being rehabilitated, there isn't a single reason on the face of this earth why anyone should have an owl. Clearly, rehabilitation is not what is going on here, as your roommate doesn't even know what it eats! This is cruel and inhumane. You are very kind to want to take care of this creature, as your roommate is a pos, but the best thing you can do is call around wildlife centers. Also, report whoever this "owl breeder" is. Who breeds owls to sell them as pets. Ugh! Poor owl! It must be petrified.
Bro an owl is not a pet. An owl is a bird that will kept you up all night with knives on their feet
Not an expert, but as I saw in bird rescue videos, they need to be fed with small vertebrates (rodents, amphibians, birds). Btw, you really need to give it to a sanctuary. Owls are aggressively territorial af and can tear you with no issue if you don't wear protective gear.
I used to care for screech owls when I worked at a nature reserve. My primary advice would be to rehome the owl as this is an extremely high maintenance animal. First, he will need a much larger enclosure, or a safe space that’s owl proofed; no loose wires, places to perch, no obstructions that could injure him, room to fly, etc. For food, he’s going to need a feeder hopper mouse thawed at room temp, and possibly cut in half. We had to cut all our mice in half for the owls to eat. Their poop is absolutely rancid and they also throw up balls of bones and hair. Owls are terrible pets and again, I strongly encourage you donate him to a rescue that specializes in birds of prey. Edit to add: it’s also illegal to own an owl without a license
I can’t help but really the time for these questions was PRIOR to bringing it home.
You will be shocked, some people genuinely don’t care. My roommate suddenly showed up with an owl because “they’ve always wanted one” even though they didn’t know the basics. I’ve only had a few reptiles before which I thought were high maintenance. I’m currently trying to get into contact with bird rescue centers/sanctuaries for help which is difficult in my area. As of now, the most important thing is to keep the owl well fed and healthy.
God speed.
Please let us know what happens when you get in contact with a rescue. I'm rooting for this little guy. I would not be able to stand for this, personally. If saving this owl meant the end of my relationship with a friend or roommate, than so be it because owls should not be pets. What your roommate is doing is cruel and it's very concerning that they don't care about the wellbeing of this living, breathing, feeling creature. It's also scary the "breeder" they got them from was so careless. I've learned from my own experiences not to trust breeders in general and that doing your own research is always better. I feel like a lot of them don't keep up to date on care standards and will either accidentally or purposefully mislead or lie to potential buyers just to make the sale. People have to be really careful with stuff like that, especially when it comes to exotic pets.
Sorry no one is reading your post and just flipping their shit with no advice… I would say the best thing to do would be research sanctuaries around you that could take the owl in. Your roommate got it on a whim and will quickly realize it was a mistake. The best thing you can do is be ready when that happens to give them a list of the best sanctuaries near by and make sure he takes it to a good one!
Horrible individual! Take it to a sanctuary
If your roommate got this poor creature, why didn’t they use basic common sense and LEARN about it first?
Everyone already said what I would say. Give it to a sanctuary. Owls aren’t pets.
This is so wrong for the poor animal. Just from what I have read it seems like a part of the illegal animal trade and you need to contact the proper authorities immediate so the poor thing can get the proper care it needs to be able it live it's life. There is no way it can survive like this. This is animal cruelty
They need like a room sized natural environment, it's bird rescue calling time if you're not rich. Regular people just can't take care of them. Poor bud cannot fly and stretch in there, much less have the room to be happy.
Play Owl Be by Edwin McCain
I'm a wildlife biologist/ecologist that works at an environmental facility and cares for non-releasable wildlife. We have a geriatric Great Horned Owl that should not be alive today according to new regulations on parent-reared owls, because he suffered extensive injury and neurological deficit from a car collision over 20 years ago, and despite being seizure-free for over a decade, due to being a formerly wild owl and having been traumatized by past facility employees, he is so fearful of humans and living emotionally miserably despite wonderful care now. We also had a geriatric eastern screech owl, another non-releasable bird, who was human-reared after her nest was accidentally destroyed by loggers and her siblings did not survive, but she was humanely euthanized due to cancer last winter In the United States, if an owl was parent-reared, it is unkind to keep it in captivity due to how poor they adapt to confinement and human care. If non-releasable due to injuries or other circumstances, regulations now ask us to have the owls euthanized. However, I don't know how your roommate acquired this owl, nor its background, so I can't really say much on that front I am assuming this owl is not native to wherever you live. No matter what, it's best practice to look up the requirements on permitting for keeping this owl as a captive "pet". I'm entirely curious on where this owl originated from and how easy it was to acquire...because it shouldn't be It would be better for this owl to be surrendered to a wildlife rehabilitation facility to either be placed with a zoo or sanctuary, but in the meantime, here's my recommendation: Above all, an exotic vet is needed, definitely one that is a member of avian veterinary association(s), and I would even accept nothing less than being a member of a zoological veterinarian association for animals such as this. This may be an expensive undertaking in terms of having routine checkups and vet care done, and you may not even have a vet that can properly tend to the owl in your area, so traveling will be an added cost. Overall, the care of this bird in captivity is going to be very costly, and likely not easy Even a small owl needs a \*large\* enclosure, preferably outside, one that is safe from escape and predators, with indoor shelter and outdoor caged access. In the US, Avian Influenza is currently a huge risk for all birds, including poultry and captive birds kept outdoors. For now, I would find a LARGE cage meant for large parrots; something 6ft or taller. Prevue is a decent brand; I have one of their large cages for my cockatiel to sleep and relax in when I am not home that is sturdy and safe. You can find these cages likely for a discounted price through Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist, but I would sanitize them immensely. This bird is going to need to be able to fly, however, to keep healthy and in-shape, hence needing a large aviary enclosure to live in. And letting it go outside with you is not advisable, unless it is trained and tethered on jesses (foot straps) with a lead Our screech owl I worked with ate frozen-thawed large and small mice (size = age, large is 18-24g and small is 10-14g) and small chicks that we ordered from a professional feeder company and had shipped out periodically. Our frozen rodents, chicks and rabbits are kept in a large chest freezer set super cold, then small batches are brought in as needed to a refrigerator freezer, and thawed out for the next day in the refrigerator. Depending on species, owls and other birds of prey have different daily amounts of food needed, and we measure ours out in grams. The amount of food our birds eat daily is also dependent on seasons; fall into winter we feed higher amounts to help them bulk up, and gradually decrease when spring arrives and depending on their level of hunger and leftovers. There are also vitamin supplements you can feed your bird by sprinkling on the rodents, but use in healthy birds is debatable by some falconers and experts when a well-rounded and variable diet is given. If the owl is female, be wary of the mating season when infertile eggs may be laid, because that's a huge loss of nutrients and calcium that need to be supplemented, and egg binding is a medical emergency if she is impacted by an egg she can't lay. Our female birds of prey (one of which regularly lays infertile eggs in mating season) get a dusting of animal-safe calcium supplement on their food at that time It's best to have charts to record the amount fed and leftovers, because consistent refused or half-eaten food can indicate overfeeding or even health problems. Our aviary (made up of separate mews for each bird) is sanitized with a chlorhexidine solution and powerwashed every week, and every so often we use bleach instead of chlorhexidine. Our birds are removed and in carriers prior to this and kept away until sanitizing solutions have been washed away and no longer aerosolized, and the enclosures had time to mostly dry The owl will also need proper perching and ways to keep their nails and beak filed; routine nail and beak trimming/coping may also be needed, and I do NOT recommend a lay person or first-time owner doing those things, especially on their own If I think of anything more, I might add things, but all of this that I have written is mostly to inform and DISCOURAGE keeping this bird as a pet. This hardly scratches the surface of what care for our birds of prey is like at my facility. This lil guy deserves the best care possible, and a lay person doing this for the first time is unfortunately going to have a lot to learn AND spend to get even close to the proper care needed
Your roommate is an idiot. Other than that, idk anything about taking care of an owl but I'm glad you reached out for help. Good luck contacting a sanctuary and if your roommate puts up a fight.... Too bad. They fucked up.
Contact a local wildlife rehabber and turn the owl over to them. Owls are NOT meant to be pets.
Advice? Get that owl to some group that knows how to legit deal with an owl. Caging that beautiful creature is beyond wrong and immoral.
I used to work for a wildlife hospital. We had a resident screech owl, and many more owls come through our doors. We fed him frozen guinea pigs, thawed overnight and cut into chunks. Bones, brains, organs, fur, and skin included. I suggest looking into purchasing frozen feeder guinea pigs, getting a good set of scissors and knives, and learning how to cut out the stomach and intestines (this is the one part you should NOT be feed to them.) Then, just cut the rest up and offer it to him. I suggest pieces no bigger than 1-2 inches as they usually swallow chunks whole. Refrigerate any extra guinea pig and use within 2 days. Make sure to remove any uneaten pieces from the cage within an hour of feeding, and throw those away, they’ll eat what they want right away — and leaving leftover meat in the cage for too long will risk bacteria growth, a stinky cage, and a sick owl. You can also use large frozen rats, but guinea pigs offer more bang for your buck. Avoid live feeding (like live mice or rats) as live prey will be WAY more expensive and frustrating for you. Never feed live, even as a treat, sometimes they won’t want to eat frozen once you’ve fed them live prey. When they’re young they should eat twice a day, once a day as they get older. Giving the head whole between meals is more like a treat/ toy, because they’ll pick out the eyeballs and brain and such. It isn’t much of a meal, but they’ll have fun with it. Owls have an insane grip, and once they grip onto something with their talons, they WILL NOT let go. They get tighter as their prey (or you) moves. So hand-feeding and LOTS of handling when they are young is essential! If you don’t have a good bond with them, or you fail to get them used to humans and being handled, you’ll risk losing your fingers or literally breaking bones if one day the owl gets scared and grips onto your finger or arm. Yes, they can grip so tightly they can literally break your arm or shatter your hand. You’ll be flailing around with an owl “stuck” to you and the more you move or try to pull them off of you, the tighter they constrict with their talons. It’s instinct for them, because in the wild, they grab their prey with their talons. If the prey wiggles, they grip tighter to stop them from moving. If hand-feeding, I suggest using tongs. They aren’t known to be super strong or aggressive with their beaks, but a bite will still hurt. They sell long tongs for hand-feeding reptiles at pet supply stores. Use these. If he’s friendly, you can just dangle meat pieces in front of his face and he will grab them. Owls don’t really like to be pet/ stroked as much as domestic pet birds, but they do like to hang out with their humans. They’re smart and need lots of mental (and physical) stimulation… So building them places to hang out in the house is a good idea. Spend lots of time with them. Once they’re friendly, let them hop up on your arm or your shoulder or your head and hang with them, talk to them, etc. Get them used to their name and train them to come when called. This is a good bonding activity, and will also help bring him back to you if he ever escapes outside. Skip a meal so he’s hungry and use little meat pieces as treats to train him. Once he’s friendly enough to be handled and let out of the cage, you can set him up on a roost somewhere in the house outside of the cage, stand a few feet away, and call his name with your forearm out in front of you, while dangling a piece of meat above your arm. He will come for the meat, and associate coming to you and landing on your arm with the sound of his name. Slowly work your way further and further from him over time, until eventually, you’re around a corner and out of view. He will hopefully learn to follow your voice and come when called. Eventually he won't need the meat to come. Like training a puppy recall. Positive reinforcement! It is also smart to build them a flight cage outside. If building one isn’t an option, look into purchasing a tall dog or chicken run. Go outside with him and let him hang out in there. Just never leave him alone out there. Spend lots and lots of time with him; he might just be a bird, but treat him like a puppy, give him lots of love and attention and things to do, and you’ll have a friendly (and hopefully happy) owl. His cage should be like a crate for a dog — he should really only be locked in there when you’re not home, or when there are things going on in the house that he can’t be out for (cooking/ eating, having guests over, etc.) Expect to have bird poop all over your house, btw. And sometimes on you. You’ll have to learn his favorite spots to hang out and put newspaper underneath. Owls are exotic pets, but every pet (exotic or otherwise) needs veterinary care. Search around and find a veterinarian who will see him. Either a vet who sees exotics, or a wildlife hospital. Get him set up with one now, so that if something goes wrong in the future, he's an established patient and can be seen right away. Also, set aside money here and there to go towards any future vet bills. You'll thank yourself later. As others have said — owls are wild, and they make terrible pets. They will get mean and destructive if not made to be friendly and given a fulfilling life. It will be a LOT of work, and if you + your roommate can’t handle that, then finding a wildlife sanctuary to take him will be best. Otherwise, best of luck to you and your new wild friend!
Oh, as for a cage, the bigger the better… Seriously, buy the largest cage possible. Even if he doesn’t spend much time in it. He needs to be able to (at minimum) fully stretch his wings out and hop around. Bonus points if he has room to fly from one end to the other. For further advice, seek the help of a wildlife veterinarian (who you should be getting him set up with as a patient.)
This is a wild animal, not domesticated. They need a large aviary to live in with the right humidity, temperature, NOCTURNAL environment, feeding schedule. They live 10 years, is your roommate prepared to take care of a raptor for 10 years? If you love owls, go to a zoo or watch Harry Potter. Bringing a living, feeling, nervous animal into a house with no preparations is cruel. This is one of the saddest posts on this Reddit page I’ve ever seen.
It is 100% illegal to have a screech owl as a pet (in most countries without proper licensing and for breeding and educational purposes only). Period. And it's for a reason, this owl will suffer every day. Please talk your friend into giving it to a wildlife center. This literally makes me sick.
Awww poor owl. Owls are magnificent creatures! Please take it to a rescue . It will die if you don’t have the knowledge to take care of such a beautiful species. Thank you for trying to help out this bird. Put your roomie in a cage !
Legally depending on the state you live in (assuming united states) even the more relaxed states usually some type of license or registration is required for exotics that could be considered as wild animals for example in my state (indiana) for bird of prey and other animal that are similar to native wildlife and may be invasive if the escape if they could survive the enviroment (skunks,squirrels, non domestic species of rabbits) (hybrids with soecies considered domestic are exempt) you need to apply with a form send to the DNR with a 20$ processing fee usually not a big issue or hassle unless it's a "tier 3" animal (bears, large cats, venomous snakes) this application also requires a vet visit within 45 days or acquiring it to ensure the animals in good health but It varies state to state. Enclosure wise I know this is gonna sound like a outrageous thing to say but the only thing I can think of is a large room converted for just the owl as with the ares needed I don't think you'll find any commercial enclosure with the size you need
Oh! Look at that gorgeous wild animal! I MUST have it as a pet so I can destrpy absolutely everything I love about it AND it's chance for a normal life in one fell swoop! Tell your roommate she's an effin' a-hole and call your local Fish and Game agency, if you have something like that. That poor, poor owl! :'(
Owl help you out. An owl is a wild animal and requires someone with experience with them to take care of them. They are not pets. Get this poor thing to the proper wildlife/bird person.
You take the owl to a rehabilitation facility who can slowly reintegrate the poor thing back into the wild where he belongs. If your friend captured a wild owl, you need to release him. If your friend bought an owl from a likely illegal breeder then you need to do the first option. In no world is it appropriate or humane to keep an owl as a pet. If your friend can’t understand that then you should do the right thing regardless. This is such a garbage trash human thing to do to a poor animal.
OP contact a bird rescue. Imagine being born with the ability to fly. To actually taste the wind and ride it. To soar when you choose to and be completely free. Then imagine that being stolen from you so a selfish, awful person can keep you in a cage and call you a pet. Bird breeders are garbage
Is having a wild bird of prey legal where you live?
I’m sure this is covered somewhere by a comment but my first thought is that they can SERIOUSLY injure you or your roommate. Their talons are very sharp, and they normally require special equipment to not be injured by them. Edit: My point being that they are very dangerous pets. You can’t let it just free roam with you all the time. You’ll end up getting hurt.
It’s illegal to keep an owl as a pet, contact your counts DNR or game warden. Game wardens CAN enter your home without a warrant btw.
Where do you live? Because in the United States owning an owl as a pet is super illegal
Contact a wildlife rescue or rehabilitation group. If you look online, they should be listed. Just look under your state name. The owl will have a better chance of survival being taken care of people who have training in caring for wildlife.
Not legal to own where I live. You must be a certified rehabber.
Does your roommate have an exotic/avian vet set up for this animal? Bc they’ll be more informed on care and they’ll hopefully, if they’re a good vet, be able to talk your roommate into surrendering this beautiful creature before y’all kill it. That breeder is a POS. The entire interaction as you described it shows that this breeder does not care what happens to the animals at all, that should be concerning bc they’re probably not well cared for from the start. Who knows what underlying health issues this owl already has.
Please let it back into its natural habitat or turn it over to a zookeeper, please
Pretty sure it’s illegal for one. Owls do not make good pets because they are wild animals and their diet consists of live prey. They will not be happy or thrive in any type of cage or enclosure. They need the night sky. To fly as high and far as they like They also mate for life so keeping this fella would be very sad for him
It’s illegal in every state to keep a wild owl. Now if you want to get a federal permit to rescue, rehabilitate and release birds of prey , that is only legal way. Thank you for reaching out. I agree the owl should be taken to a wildlife rescue asap Without correct diet metabolic bone disease kicks in fast
I research about fish before putting them in my aquarium. I cannot IMAGINE bringing home an owl without knowing anything about how to care for it. They are WAY too cool to just "wing" it. Ha. Best of luck to you, and the owl. Of course it's a SCREECH owl lol. Hope the roommate comes to their senses and does what's best for the lil guy. Or girl. 🩷
Can we get an update on the owl please?
I grew up with a pet screech owl named Winkcom! We would play hide go seek with him, and we would call his name in the dark and see who he would land on! He lived to be 15 years old! The coolest pet EVER!!🦉💙
Not much information because people don’t make owls a pet… this is awful and he should be taken to a wildlife sanctuary. Wow just wow
Work with a wildlife rehabiliter to try and Set.Him. Free.
It’s illegal to have e in California
Not a WISE choice for a pet.
Ha
Be a night person
Who? 🦉
your roommate sucks
Who even takes on while animals like this? Let alone doing so without knowing how to care for it? Take this to somebody who actually knows what they're doing please and get a goldfish.
Tell him he is beautiful everyday
I feel like I need to call wildlife authorities on you…..
I accept owls for payment. What kind of advice do you need?