Foster Family

Site 9

This has to be the best report/post I have been able to do on this trail I hope I do it justice! As a site wrap up, this was an interesting year from the start. It seems the pair that was at this site all fall and winter chose somewhere else to nest by April. Only about a week later, a different owl pair back filled the un-occupied/defended box. This delayed nesting with the new pair proved to be quite beneficial for an orphaned owlet…If this box nesting was on usual timing, the owlets here would have fledged before the orphaned owlet could have joined their family…

When a Raptor Rehabilitator rehabilitates an injured/orphaned owlet, once the owlet is treated back to health, if possible they try to integrate to a foster owl family if the original family’s whereabouts is unknown. There are several critical criteria that have to be met in order for this to be successful. The owlets must be about the same size, and the foster family must not have a large family of its own (do not want to over burden parents suppling food with one more mouth to feed). Anyway, I wanted to share some of the prep work behind the scenes and the success story of a Family with 3 owlets that became a Family with 4 owlets!

June 12th, Site 9 owner:

“Hi,
An animal rehabber that watches this Owl Box (camera) has an owlet around the same ages as our owlets that are going to fledge next week and she wants to put it in the box, it’s an orphan and she’s bringing it back to health. Is there any risk of harm to our owlet’s by doing this? I asked her and she said oh no screech owls are wonderful foster parents but we don’t want anything to happen to our Owlets. Please let us know your thoughts on this thank you.”

My Response: (June 12th)

“I dont have any personal experience with it.  But do know it is common practice to place orphan owlets in with foster owl families when possible. We know a retired raptor rehabilitated we could double check with.  As well as follow a Shrewsbury rehabber to get some second opinions.  Otherwise from what I have heard it should be fine.“

Anyway I contacted https://www.raptortalesrescue.com/ and they confirmed this works provided owlets are close to the same size…in addition Cape Ann Wildlife who were diligently nursing the owlet back to health https://business.facebook.com/CapeAnnWildlifeInc/ double checked with owl expert Norm Smith https://www.projectsnowstorm.org/posts/norman-smith-champion-of-the-owls/ who also confirmed this is a preferred practice. We were all re-affirmed this would work!

June 13th 2021 Site 9 Owner announced:

“We have a new development! A local raptor rehabber asked if they could place this little rescue male screech owl in the box with our babies! I guess Screech owls readily accept orphans and we are going to attempt to place the little guy in the box at dusk! Hoping they are close in size! Fingers crossed!
Keep and eye out at dusk!“

“Mom will be surprised when she finds 4 owlets instead of 3 ! Mom
Was scared by the ladder but the rehabber left mice for her ! She will be back when it is dark outside!“

June 20th:

“The owlets are still here this morning! The stayed up in the slot for a long time last night! Mom  tried to fly in but the slot was full and sort of bounced off the box and then onto the wood pile holding poles . We were able to get a good look at her ( she was looking at us too). She is so tiny!“

June 22nd:

“Everyone fledged last night …… We will miss them and hope they will be safe. We believe that the last one to fledge was little orphan Owlie! So glad we were able to help him out!“

On June 25th:

“We were able to see mom, dad and all 4 babies! They are all ok and in the trees surrounding the box. Three of the owlets were with dad and one with mom! The babies all look fine and healthy! Mom looks tired! ”

Cape Ann Wildlife inc. Provided an update from their perspective as well on their facebook page.

“Remember the itsy bitsy screech owlet that was near death a few weeks ago?? Well, he has fully recovered and since the original nest cavity could not be located, he was placed with surrogate screech owl family. The owlets are all very close to fledgling/branching stage and soon they will be out flying and learning how to hunt with the parents! “-Erin H.

***Please note if you find an baby raptor on the ground please contact us!! They will need to be assessed and medically cleared before either being put back in original nest, or considered a candidate for a surrogate family. Each case is unique and should be handled and conducted by a wildlife rehabilitator  Thank you!!!!“

I will end with… Now is a good time to look up your local rehabilitor if you have a screech owl box (or any type of owl nest structure ) in your yard. If an owlet does fall out of a nest even if it is your own box, call a licensed raptor rehabilatator to get an assesment. if the owlet is healthy they will put it back with its family, but it may need treatment before returning to the nest.

Photos used with permission all copyrights apply