Burrowing Owl – Owls in Towels https://owlsintowels.org/ Sun, 19 Apr 2026 02:15:38 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.2 https://owlsintowels.org/content/media/tBNh7to.png Burrowing Owl – Owls in Towels https://owlsintowels.org/ 32 32 Three Surgeries Later https://owlsintowels.org/three-surgeries-later/ https://owlsintowels.org/three-surgeries-later/#respond Wed, 15 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 https://owlsintowels.org/?p=3885 A bright-eyed BUOW, or Burrowing Owl if you're not into the whole brevity thing, is wrapped in a baby blue fabric, held in the thick-gloved hand of a rehabilitator. The owl's eyes are lemon yellow, and his/her plumage is white across the eyebrows and chin, and tan to dark brown everywhere else, featuring light speckles across the forehead. The wrap forms a high upturned collar like Dracula. Dracowla? Draculowl? We'll keep working on that.

Original post – 19 Nov 2020
by Ojai Raptor Center

located in Oak View, California, US πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ
Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Original text:

Burrowing Owls are listed as a species of special concern in California and endangered in other parts of their range. Their decline is mostly due to loss of habitat but pesticides (both insecticides and rodenticides) are also to blame. The use of these poisons not only decimate a large portion of insects that these owls rely on for food, but rodenticides also reduce the number of natural excavators that create the ground burrows they nest in, like ground squirrels.

Burrowing Owls are known as partial migrants here in California and will move about the State to their breeding grounds where they nest in colonies. ORC typically receives just a few Burrowing Owl patients a year during these migrations, but some years we’ve received only one or none at all. We have seen an increase of annual intakes over the past 3 years and this Fall we’ve received 4 since September! While sadly not all of them made it, we hope this is a good sign for the species as conservation efforts are underway.

The patient pictured has undergone 3 surgeries to repair extensive damage to the soft tissue of the left wing after the owl was entangled in barbed wire. Luckily his/her prognosis is looking good for recovery and release!


Patient Update: Burrowing Owl vs. Barbs

This Burrowing Owl (BUOW) that was admitted for barbed wire injuries is now all healed up after weeks of treatment!


Link to donate to Ojai Raptor Center for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

πŸ’›πŸ¦‰

SpeciesCommon NameMore info
Athene cuniculariaBurrowing OwlWiki link
]]> https://owlsintowels.org/three-surgeries-later/feed/ 0 Burrowing Owl ‘Marathon’ https://owlsintowels.org/burrowing-owl-marathon/ https://owlsintowels.org/burrowing-owl-marathon/#respond Sun, 08 Mar 2026 23:00:00 +0000 https://owlsintowels.org/?p=3641 A Burrowing Owl wears a bright green towel or towel-adjacent fabric like a headscarf. His eyes are wide and yellow, with oval pupils reflecting a trio of ceiling lights. Feathers are brown and white, with a thatch of tan across the chest. His rictal bristles around his pale yellow beak are damp and pink, presumably from his latest meal, but due to lack of time / awareness / shame / napkins he has been unable to clean himself for the photoshoot.

Original post – 02 Mar 2021
by Wild At Heart Raptors
located in Cave Creek, Arizona, US πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ
Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Original text:

Who doesn’t like a little owl in a towel? Little “Marathon” was receiving a laser treatment this morning for a leg injury when one of our volunteers snapped this cute picture.

Link to donate to Wild At Heart Raptors for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

πŸ’›πŸ¦‰

SpeciesCommon NameMore info
Athene cuniculariaBurrowing OwlWiki link

]]> https://owlsintowels.org/burrowing-owl-marathon/feed/ 0 Hurricane Evacuee https://owlsintowels.org/hurricane-evacuee/ https://owlsintowels.org/hurricane-evacuee/#respond Tue, 24 Feb 2026 23:00:00 +0000 https://owlsintowels.org/?p=3616 A Burrowing Owl is wrapped in a brick orange towel, facing the camera with a curious expression. He has wide pupils ringed by sunflower yellow irises, framed by plumage of brown and ashy white. The pattern is in spots across the forehead and bars across the chest. His feet are turned to the side and raised, claws outstretched like it's thriller night. An unseen hand is holding him from behind, or he would probably not be upright for the photo.

Photo: SIERRA K

This Burrowing Owl was pictured shortly before hurricane Milton flooded the wildlife hospital at CROW campus in Sanibel, FL. Animals and personnel had to evacuate and continue triage (!) at a temp site until the causeway reopened and electricity was restored.

Original post – 10 Oct 2024
by CROW – Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife

located in Sanibel, Florida, US πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ
Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Link to donate to CROW – Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

πŸ’›πŸ¦‰

SpeciesCommon NameMore info
Athene cuniculariaBurrowing OwlWiki link
]]> https://owlsintowels.org/hurricane-evacuee/feed/ 0 Burrowing Owl vs. Barbs https://owlsintowels.org/burrowing-owl-vs-barbs/ https://owlsintowels.org/burrowing-owl-vs-barbs/#respond Wed, 15 Oct 2025 08:00:00 +0000 https://owlsintowels.org/?p=2124 Close up of a Burrowing Owl wrapped in a pale pink towel with a folded edge at the collar. The owl wears it like a cloak, but back to front. He/she has yellow eyes, a pale olive beak, and tabby cat patterning of grey, brown, black and white feathers. There's brown spots along the forehead and thin black bristles under the beak, which look like hairs but are really a type of feather. Then again, it's all keratin proteins at the micro level. However you define it, having a few wayward chin hairs is pretty relatable.

15th of Owltober!

Originally posted 11 Dec 2020
by Ojai Raptor Center

located in Oak View, California, US πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ
Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Original text:

This Burrowing Owl (BUOW) that was admitted for barbed wire injuries is now all healed up after weeks of treatment! This past month, we received a few other patients that were also injured by barbed wire, and sadly, most of them were not as lucky as this BUOW. On Sunday, we moved him/her into an outdoor enclosure where he/she can move and fly around freely. We have high hopes that this owl will be able to be released back into the wild after being given more outdoor flight time!

The owl in the flight enclosure, on the ground. He/she looks up at the camera, wings outstretched and pupils wide. Sans towel we can now see the rest of his/her plumage: white spots on brown feathers.

Link to donate to Ojai Raptor Center for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

πŸ’›πŸ¦‰

SpeciesCommon NameMore info
Athene cuniculariaBurrowing OwlWiki link
]]> https://owlsintowels.org/burrowing-owl-vs-barbs/feed/ 0 Putting the “Ow” in Burrowing Owl https://owlsintowels.org/putting-the-ow-in-burrowing-owl/ Tue, 18 Mar 2025 23:00:01 +0000 https://owlsintowels.org/?p=1229 Original post – 27 Oct 2020 – Source

by Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network

located in Goleta, California

Website | Instagram | Facebook

Burrowing owl patient #4242 is in a constant state of 😳. The little owl struck a window pretty hard, and is now recovering from some head trauma and bruising.

Thankfully, he has a nice temporary β€œburrow” to hang out in while he recovers. Can you spot him?

πŸ“·: Ginny H.

Link to donate to Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

πŸ’›πŸ¦‰

SpeciesCommon NameMore info
Athene cuniculariaBurrowing owlWiki link
]]> Priceless Expression https://owlsintowels.org/priceless-expression/ https://owlsintowels.org/priceless-expression/#respond Sun, 12 Nov 2023 00:09:14 +0000 https://owlsintowels.org/?p=733

Original post – 01 Jan 2020
by Sarvey Wildlife Care Center

located in Arlington, Washington, US πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ
Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Initial admission – 24 Dec 2019

“Patient of the Week – Christmas owl – well he is actually a Burrowing owl and arrived on Christmas Eve. This poor guy was stuck in netting at a golf course in Renton and the people that found him couldn’t find anywhere to take him. They finally got in touch with a small mammal rescue place in Carnation, Footprints Wildlife. Kathi of Footprints called our Director on her cell phone at home, who then reached our Clinic Manager. Everyone was trying to make it to holiday events, but coordinating everything went smoothly and all had a peaceful night. Most importantly the little owl is now eating well and stable. He has an injured leg and our vet will be seeing him tomorrow. Thanks to everyone who took time that evening to help this adorable little owl.”

Update 01 Jan 2020:

The Burrowing owl is doing much better. Check out his legs! So adorable and expressive.

Final update 26 Mar 2020:

Remember our Christmas Eve rescue? A Burrowing owl that caught in netting at a golf course – he was a young owl migrating with mom when he was stuck and left behind. We had to over winter him and last week we released him! He was taken to an established breeding area in Benton county. You can see the area and the burrows the federal refuge has in place. He is banded and we hope he has a long life!

For those willing and able please consider helping fund Sarvey Wildlife Care Center at the following DONATION LINK. Your generosity ensures the best possible care for their animal guests.

xo owlsintowels

πŸ’›πŸ¦‰

SpeciesCommon NameMore info
Athene cuniculariaBurrowing owlWiki link
]]> https://owlsintowels.org/priceless-expression/feed/ 0 Burrowing Owl #1 – Dislocated Elbow https://owlsintowels.org/burrowing-owl-1-dislocated-elbow/ https://owlsintowels.org/burrowing-owl-1-dislocated-elbow/#respond Tue, 05 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000 https://owlsintowels.org/?p=609

Original post – 15 Aug 2023
by CROW – Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife

located in Sanibel, Florida, US πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ
Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Original text:

β€œOn August 15th, a burrowing owl (23-3177) was admitted to the clinic with a reported injured wing. Upon closer examination, it was determined that the owl had a left wing droop with swelling and bruising of the elbow which was a result of a dislocation of the joint. Thankfully since the injury had occurred recently, veterinarians were able to reduce the wing bones back into a normal position with the joint and a supportive body wrap was placed to immobilize the wing while it heals.

β€œThis owl is receiving anti-inflammatory pain medications and regular physical therapy sessions to help ensure the wing can still stretch out normally so the owl can eventually fly again. Did you know that the feathers along the edge of owls’ wings are specially adapted to allow them to have silent flight and increase their chances of successfully hunting prey? We hope this owl will be able to rejoin its family at the burrow once its injury has fully healed.”

For those willing and able please consider helping fund CROW at this LINK. Your generosity ensures the best possible care for their animal guests.

xo owlsintowels

πŸ’›πŸ¦‰

SpeciesCommon NameMore info
Athene cuniculariaBurrowing owlWiki link
]]> https://owlsintowels.org/burrowing-owl-1-dislocated-elbow/feed/ 0 Burrowing Owl #2 – Fractured Coracoid https://owlsintowels.org/burrowing-owl-2-fractured-coracoid/ https://owlsintowels.org/burrowing-owl-2-fractured-coracoid/#respond Tue, 05 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000 https://owlsintowels.org/?p=612

Original post – 04 Jul 2023
by CROW – Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife

located in Sanibel, Florida, US πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ
Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Original text:

On July 4, this Burrowing Owl (23-2627) was admitted from Cape Coral after it was found unable to fly. Upon examination, the owl had a left wing droop and was thin. Radiographs confirmed the patient had a slightly displaced left coracoid fracture. Some typical wildlife fractures may take several weeks to heal and require stabilization to prevent further injury while in care.

A body wrap was placed to help keep the wing immobile next to the body to heal the fracture. The Burrowing Owl has received physical therapy on the wing to maintain full range of motion. On July 15, the Owl was moved to an outdoor enclosure to begin flight conditioning! The patient continues to be closely monitored by our rehab team on its healing process.

For those willing and able please consider helping fund CROW at this DONATION LINK. Your generosity ensures the best possible care for their animal guests.

xo owlsintowels

πŸ’›πŸ¦‰

SpeciesCommon NameMore info
Athene cuniculariaBurrowing owlWiki link
]]> https://owlsintowels.org/burrowing-owl-2-fractured-coracoid/feed/ 0