OWLICE
Species: Bubo virgianus, Great Horned Owl • Hatch Year: Unknown • Sex: Female • Disability: Human Imprint & Eye Cataracts
Owlice was transferred to the AEF in 2001 from the Tri State Bird Rescue. She has a cataract in her left eye and therefore cannot survive in the wild on her own. Despite her disability, she has been a free-flying Wings of America show bird for years!
ABOUT THIS SPECIES
The Great Horned Owl is one of the largest members of the owl family. Their feet are as powerful as they are big, capable of seizing animals as large as opossums and racoons. This adaptable hunter is fearless, and is sometimes called the ‘Flying Tiger.’ The Great Horned Owl is also one of the only birds that dine on skunks and porcupines.
Great Horned Owls nest early, usually late December and January, in a large stick nest or the hollow of a tree. They also do not mind taking over the abandoned nest of a Red Tailed Hawk. After the young are hatched, they stay with the parents for several months until they are well versed in the art of hunting.
Owls can turn their heads almost all the way around (270 degrees). The reason they do this is because their eyes, unlike the eyes of humans, are locked in their sockets and are pointed straight ahead. They are capable of turning their heads so far because they have 14 vertebrae in their neck, double the amount that humans have.