Long-Eared Owl in NJ

A Long-Eared Owl is burrito-wrapped in a pine-green towel, held by the thick-gloved hand of a rehabilitator indoors. The owl assays the photographer with expressive yellow eyes. The plumicorns, or "ear tufts" for which the species is so named, are curved like feathery scimitars, with one a tad taller than the other. These tufts are not truly ears (their ears are actually located at the sides of their head, at eye level and concealed). Rather, the tufts are large prominent feathers, and it's not super definitive what they're for, but biologists suggest they help communicate mood and intent to other owls. The tufts are blackish-brown with tawny edges, whereas the owl's facial feathers are a prominent flash of mostly cream and ginger.

Original post – 26 Apr 2019
by Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge
located in Medford, New Jersey, US 🇺🇸
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Original text:

We do our best to share stories of second chances, happy endings, and great outcomes. Unfortunately in wildlife rehabilitation, those cases don’t tell the whole story. We oftentimes face an uphill battle in providing a second chance to the injured and orphaned wildlife that we treat, and we do have patients that we cannot save. This Long-eared Owl was brought to us after he was found unable to fly in a parking lot in Westampton. His intake exam revealed serious head trauma, most likely from a vehicle impact. Our staff did everything possible to save his life, but were ultimately unsuccessful.

This patient passed away after almost a week in care. Post-mortem exam confirmed severe head trauma with a brain bleed. Unfortunately, no treatment would have been able to save him. Oftentimes, the severity of a patient’s injuries can not be seen outwardly. Although we don’t often share these cases on social media, we feel it’s important to tell the whole story and bring awareness to the challenges faced by our native wildlife.

The LEOW rests on two towels, green and white, layered in a donut / horseshoe shape. The patient is located inside a large incubator labelled "BIRD BROODER 90", a machine for controlling oxygen, heat and humidity. It is about as long as a shipping container is wide, with a clear hatchback door behind which the owl watches the photographer, head turned to the side.

Link to donate to Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

SpeciesCommon NameMore info
Asio otusLong-eared OwlWiki link

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