this post was submitted on 24 Jan 2026
96 points (100.0% liked)
Superbowl
5508 readers
257 users here now
For owls that are superb.
Please scroll down to read our community rules.
US Wild Animal Rescue Database: Animal Help Now
International Wildlife Rescues: RescueShelter.com
Australia Rescue Help: WIRES
Germany-Austria-Switzerland-Italy Wild Bird Rescue: wildvogelhilfe.org
If you find an injured owl:
Note your exact location so the owl can be released back where it came from. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitation specialist to get correct advice and immediate assistance.
Minimize stress for the owl. If you can catch it, toss a towel or sweater over it and get it in a cardboard box or pet carrier. It should have room to be comfortable but not so much it can panic and injure itself. If you can’t catch it, keep people and animals away until help can come.
Do not give food or water! If you feed them the wrong thing or give them water improperly, you can accidentally kill them. It can also cause problems if they require anesthesia once help arrives, complicating procedures and costing valuable time.
If it is a baby owl, and it looks safe and uninjured, leave it be. Time on the ground is part of their growing up. They can fly to some extent and climb trees. If animals or people are nearby, put it up on a branch so it’s safe. If it’s injured, follow the above advice.
For more detailed help, see the OwlPages Rescue page.
Community Rules:
Posts must be about owls. Especially appreciated are photographs (not AI) and scientific content, but artwork, articles, news stories, personal experiences and more are welcome too.
Be kind. If a post or comment bothers you, or strikes you as offensive in any way, please report it and moderators will take appropriate action.
AI is discouraged. If you feel strongly that the community would benefit from a post that involves AI you may submit it, but it might be removed if the moderators feel that it is low-effort or irrelevant.
Also visit our twinned community for wholesome content:
!wholesome@reddthat.com
)
founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
I don't have specific qurstions but I love cool anatomy facts! Anything in this area would be cool for me
We've covered eyes and ears a bunch. We did respiration and eye removal recently, which I found fascinating.
I did read an article recently about how the fact birds have hollow bones doesn't necessarily make them lighter that I don't think got shared here (or maybe someone linked it in a comment and then I read the whole thing?).
Maybe I can find some other organs they have or do something on feather growth or egg development. How their muscles attach to withstand the forces of flight is another thing I've been curious about.
Yeah, I wonder how their muscles work too. Not just owls, but birds in general, especially the ones that can fly for days.
Breathing is interesting too because it's so different from humans. Or things like how do their feet stay warm? How do they get by when food is scarce? Do they have fat reserves? How long do they live? Can you fly with puffed-up feathers, or do you just get cold?
I could go on :) I know the detailed posts don't seem to get as much love, but I appreciate them. I know how much work it can be. I think that kind of stuff tends to do better when it's as short and simple as possible. Easier said than done:)
That bird had an amazing journey! 😮
I've covered Saw Whet fat reserves once before, they can lose up to 20% body weight in a single day of migration.
The why their legs don't freeze off I just covered recently, and that was a fun one for me because I hadn't known the answer to that one. Check that out here.
I try to keep in mind you all aren't here for "owl school" and keep it brief, but I also want to give enough to hook you into it. But I'll always link my sources so it's all there for anyone who wants it!
Ooh eye removal? I missed that, gonna go look for it now, thanks!
Link