Elusive bird of prey seen on 49 News
9:25 a.m. Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Dennis Dinwiddie with the Stone Nature Center dropped by the set of Good Morning Kansas today to show off an owl that was rescued from the wild.
The eastern screech owl is a common bird in Kansas, but it is rarely seen by humans. This species is known to be elusive and nocturnal, characteristics adopted to ensure survival.
"She's being very secretive, very elusive so that she can find food," he said. "But, at the same time, being a smaller bird, she's being more secretive, more elusive because she's also trying not to become food for something a little bit larger."
Scooter, the name of Dinwiddie's guest this morning, came to be at the Stone Nature Center after flying into something hard and dislocating her hip. Scar tissue had grown into the cup of that joint.
Contact info
The Stone Nature Center Wildlife Rehabilitation can be contacted via it's Web site, by calling (785) 575-5806 or stopping by 7240 SW 10th St.
"So she was not able to have her right leg put back in the socket again," Dinwiddie said.
As a result, Scooter only has one fully functioning talon.
"And so, if she were released back into the wild, she would not be able to hunt," he said.
The eastern screech owl grows to about 8.5 inches tall.
Dinwiddie also passed along a bit of advice for people concerned about wildlife's health and safety.
"This time of year -- very hot, very humid on many of our days. We'd like to ask the public if you'd like to help out wildlife put out pans of water, buckets of water, keep them changed, keep them fresh and clean," he said. "Because there are many places where water sources might not be readily available."
And, if you have found an animal that may need rescues, the Stone Nature Center may be able to help. Just call them at (785) 575-1991.
Post a comment
(Requires free registration.)