Our new owl!

ann · Jul 3, 2016

hello, so I work at a pet store that specializes in parrots and other more exotic pets. we used to have 3 owls and a fruit bat, but by the time i started working they were all very old. over the years they passed away (they were never for sale, we kept them in special aviaries), but we recently got a baby Eurasian eagle owl

. He is 8 weeks old now and is eating small rats. He is soooo sweet and loves to be hugged and cuddled. He is a sudden burst of joy in my life when things were getting hard, i can't wait to watch him grow

. i'll post updates as he grows up.

smbrds · Jul 3, 2016

Very interesting the store has owls. I wonder what age, if any age, do they start making the owl sounds at night. The "hoot." Oddly enough, I hear no owl sounds at night. I've only really associated them in horror movies. Go figure though. The picture is too cute, almost as if he's smiling and knew he was getting a picture taken. For some reason, I think of the movie "Up" with Kevin. I look forward to seeing more Growing Up posts.

Allee · Jul 3, 2016

What a gorgeous, fuzzy little alien creature. I can't stop staring at his enormous eyes and those feet. I cheated, I had to see what he will look like, he is going to be magnificent. Will he be a permanent resident? I can't imagine the care and space required to care for him. Will he be trained and allowed to hunt?

RavensGryf · Jul 4, 2016

Wow, those eyes! A little freaky looking now as a baby, but I bet soon he'll be gorgeous. Good questions Allee, I'd like to know too!

ann · Jul 4, 2016

I'm obsessed with him lol, and yes he's a permanent resident

right now he gets frozen food but we are going to teach him to hunt "prey" (dog toys) and frozen mice as he continues to grow. I'f I'm given the opportunity I'd love for him to be able to hunt like he would in the wild as it's only fair to him. I'll do my best to let him behave as naturally as possible. Until then he keeps busy by playing with prey-like toys we give him. He's cute now, but when he's full size he will be capable of taking prey ranging from mice to foxes. I've even read they can even take down small deer but I don't know for sure, I'll have to read some more.

And he has a large walk in pen and is let out as often as possible.

RavensGryf · Jul 4, 2016

Thanks Ann, that's interesting! I hope you'll keep us posted

.

Flboy · Jul 4, 2016

Wow, oh wow!

Terry57 · Jul 4, 2016

THAT FACE!!! Oh my gosh, he is the cutest baby I have ever seen

Please do keep us updated, I would love to watch him change as he grows. Lucky you to be able to witness it first hand!

sonja · Jul 4, 2016

You are so lucky!! Please tell us about him frequently! And show pics as he grows!!
What kind of permit is needed to have him?

BIRDIGIRL · Jul 4, 2016

I love Owls I think they are Adorable and your baby is Sooo cute ....the only thing I dont like about them is the diet hence the reason I never thought about having one but they are really gorgeous and your baby is so soooo Adorable ...thanks for sharing

psychocircus91 · Jul 4, 2016

Owls are amazing. I'm jealous.

ann · Jul 4, 2016

Thanks guys

I'll post often as he grows!
As for permits, it depends where you live. I live in the United States, specifically New York, where it is illegal to own animals native to North America. The Eurasian eagle owl is not found in the wild in North America so you don't need a permit to own one here. However they don't make good house pets as they have very messy smelly droppings and regurgitate the bones and fur of their prey. Plus they need a lot of room to fly and stretch. He's cuddly now, but other than their mate (who they stay with for life) they are solitary. If you aren't their chosen mate they might act aggressively and territorial. But for now I'll cuddle him lol

gavagai · Mar 30, 2017

ann said:
Thanks guys I'll post often as he grows!
As for permits, it depends where you live. I live in the United States, specifically New York, where it is illegal to own animals native to North America.

It's not just New York, at least not where birds are concerned. Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act it's illegal anywhere in the US to keep birds native to North America, except for some game birds, raptors used in falconry (since owls haven't been successfully used, you couldn't keep a native owl), and for the purpose of education, research, and rehabilitation. Weirdly, several species native to Great Britain are covered under the act as well; I'm not sure if it's because the authors tried to cover all species native to Great Britain and failed (the treaty was originally between the US and Britain as an end-run around a Supreme Court ruling that said Congress didn't have that power to regulate the taking of migratory birds because of the supremacy of the Constitution and treaties), or if the British species included were vagrants to the US.

Game birds and falconry are regulated on the state level. My understanding is that Massachusetts won't let you keep native game birds (or maybe it requires a license), but will let you take non-endangered raptors from the wild for the purposes of falconry (though pretty much nobody actually does this), while Texas will let you raise game birds for your own use, but you need a license to sell them and can't take raptors from the wild (probably because even with the ban, people do it here).

Teddscau · Mar 31, 2017

gavagai said:
ann said:

Thanks guys I'll post often as he grows!
As for permits, it depends where you live. I live in the United States, specifically New York, where it is illegal to own animals native to North America.

Click to expand...

It's not just New York, at least not where birds are concerned. Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act it's illegal anywhere in the US to keep birds native to North America, except for some game birds, raptors used in falconry (since owls haven't been successfully used, you couldn't keep a native owl), and for the purpose of education, research, and rehabilitation. Weirdly, several species native to Great Britain are covered under the act as well; I'm not sure if it's because the authors tried to cover all species native to Great Britain and failed (the treaty was originally between the US and Britain as an end-run around a Supreme Court ruling that said Congress didn't have that power to regulate the taking of migratory birds because of the supremacy of the Constitution and treaties), or if the British species included were vagrants to the US.

Game birds and falconry are regulated on the state level. My understanding is that Massachusetts won't let you keep native game birds (or maybe it requires a license), but will let you take non-endangered raptors from the wild for the purposes of falconry (though pretty much nobody actually does this), while Texas will let you raise game birds for your own use, but you need a license to sell them and can't take raptors from the wild (probably because even with the ban, people do it here).

Man, I love how you're not allowed to keep native animals (I definitely don't support keeping wild animals in captivity), yet in many places they have no problem letting you keep a tiger, chimpanzee, or bear. Nope, you're only allowed to keep animals completely inappropriate for the climate or those that are highly invasive.

marxxx · Mar 31, 2017

He is both awe inspiring and hilarious at the same time - soon to be quite intimidating with a 2.3" beak!

I worked in pet stores in the past as well. One day someone brought in a cerval (medium sized african cat weighing up to about 40 pounds). He was sitting on the counter purring. I bent down to talk to him. He was purring and doing the nose rubbing, etc. I was just admiring him when he opened up and (very gently) bit me on the tip of the nose (you know, the cat loving on you and gentle little love bites). Well, being bigger than a normal cat, and strange to me, it came as quite a surprise - about had to go change my drawers!

My story has little to do with your post, other than being an odd meeting. Your little guy is freakin' awesome, and will also have quite the intimidating kisser soon enough!

YUMgrinder · Mar 31, 2017

so sad... no update pics

Our new owl!

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