Saw-Whet with a Broken Wing

A Saw-Whet Owl is wrapped and hooded in an elastic cloth. The wrap is off-white with pink trim, terrycloth on the inside, smooth on the outside, and patterned with kid-friendly owl illustrations in pink, white, and brown, like Neapolitan ice cream. The wall behind is dark tangelo or persimmon that's been on the branch too long. The owl's eyes are almond-shaped and yellow, a little cross-focussed, dazed, and almost smiling, like Natalie Dormer playing Margaery Tyrell. . . Tyr-owl.

Original post – 04 Nov 2025
by Doc’s Veterinary Wildlife

located in New York, US
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Initial post – 04 Nov 2025

It doesn’t get much cuter than the pint-sized northern saw-whet owl! A segmental humeral fracture is far from ideal, however, this break had some elements working in its favor: it was a fresh break that was closed, did not involve the joints, and had minimal soft tissue damage. Post op X-rays confirm proper IM [intramedullary] pin placement with all 3 pieces aligned, and the wing-to-body wrap keeps the pin in place and provides rotational stability. Fingers crossed she can make a full recovery! ❤️‍🩹 🦉

The Saw-whet Owl stands on a grey-taupe towel. She's in a plastic carrier box that's wine red with a white top perforated with large circular air holes the diameter somewhere between golf balls and slim soda cans, arranged in a hex lattice, through which the camera picks up floral white patterns on a faded blue wallpaper behind. The owl's eyes are narrow as if she's just woken up. She balances on one foot, and has a wing-to-body bandage to stabilise the fractures post-surgery.

Follow up post – 23 Nov 2025

More work on the little saw-whet earlier this week after she decided she had had enough of her bandage! Physical therapy, laser therapy and recheck X-rays were all done simultaneously in addition to replacing the bandage. Range of motion and pin position are still good, and she is showing signs of callus formation around the fracture sites. This is a tough break but we are optimistic she might heal completely! ❤️‍🩹🦉

The owl's eyes have transitioned from almond to macadamia, wide and startled at being photographed in another carrier box, this one transparent. Her outstretched toes stand upon the plaid patterns of the towel lining the box below: large squares of peach-pink with stripes of watermelon, berry-purple and cream. Damn, I really gotta stop writing this stuff when I'm hungry.

Venmo link to donate to Doc’s Veterinary Wildlife for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

SpeciesCommon NameMore info
Aegolius acadicusNorthern Saw-whet OwlWiki link

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