Kidnapped!
From A Place Called Hope
This sweet baby Eastern Screech Owl was delivered to the Torrington PD after being dropped by a hawk. The baby's origin is unknown, but he is safe and has no real injuries!! So lucky and so cute.
Just a reminder to always make note of the location you pick up injured wildlife for the ultimate goal of return. It's not always possible, like in this scenario, but when it is, it helps us to do the best for recovered patients.
Interesting. Why would knowing where the hawk dropped the owlet be of any use?
Sorry, the wording they used is a bit confusing.
It doesn't help in this particular case is what they're trying to say, because since it was a hawk that grabbed this bird, they have no idea where the baby owl came from and can't return it to its parents.
If you were to find an owl like this, since it is too small to fly, if you are able to tell the rescue people "I found it under this tree here!" then they would probably be able to locate the original nest/parents and return the baby to them safely and so it has owl parents to raise it.
It's always best to return animals where they came from because they belong there and that is a place they were living successfully, and with babies, they learn to be proper wild animals if they're raised by their wild parents and can learn where to find food/water/shelter in that particular local ecosystem.
Oh, yeah, I see that now!
Predator birds usually have specific areas/territories where they search for prey. The general area where the nest is located can usually be estimated within a radius from where the owlet was found. This can indicate whether owls of that species are nesting in that area.
You've got the right idea! I elaborated a little more in my reply.
I keep meaning to get a copy of our intake form so you guys can see what info gets requested for dropping off an animal. That way if any of you find a critter in need, you know what all to be aware of. I've never looked too closely at it myself as I don't do intakes. π
That surprised face is probably going to last for quite a while. Poor owl.
At least it didn't become hawk food so there's a bit of luck.
I had been imagining it asking its captor too many questions to the point it decided to drop it off where someone would find it rather than listen to its childish questions any longer. π
"Where are we going?"
"How far is that?"
"Why do you live there?"
"How come you're so big?"
"Why are you so funny looking?"
And so on...