Snowy owl found starving is released after help from Nebraska, Minnesota raptor centers

[Omaha Steve]

This snowy owl was found starving this fall by a motorist along a highway in southwest Iowa. The bird was released back into the wild after getting rehabilitated at raptor centers in Nebraska and Minnesota.

THE RAPTOR CENTER/UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

By Michael O'Connor

Raptor centers in Nebraska and Minnesota teamed up to help save a starving snowy owl found far from home.

The owl was found along a highway in southwest Iowa and has been released back into the wild after undergoing four months of rehab at the centers.

Snowy owls are an uncommon sight in the region. They are from the Arctic tundra in northern Canada and venture south in the winter in search of food.

The owl was weak and barely able to fly when found in November by a motorist near Henderson, Iowa.

FULL story: http://www.omaha.com/outdoors/snowy-owl-found-starving-is-released-after-help-from-nebraska/article_2574474b-d360-5d6d-a032-351ad0998d5b.html

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. The Raptor Center is a cool place.

I did some volunteer work for them, transporting birds for release. I got to hold an eagle on my arm, and once took in an injured owl I found on my street. When owls are disturbed they clack their beaks, something I discovered when touring the center.

[ProudLib72]

2. I volunteered at a birds of prey rehabilitation outside of Boulder, CO

There was an orphaned baby owl they placed next to a cage with an adult owl for company. Even though there was a cage between them, they bonded, and that adult owl was very protective. Kind of gross cutting up frozen mice for them to eat, though.

Evidently, some people keep them as pets (muses).

[democratisphere]

5. Like the writing assistant!

Beautiful and cute!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

7. I love owls.

Somebody - don't remember who - called them "the winged brothers of the cat."

[StarryNite]

6. I volunteered at a wild bird rescue for three nesting seasons...

Rehab and release is what it's all about! I got to release several pairs of kestrels and a small number of Gambel's quail. It was a beautiful experience.

[3catwoman3]

3. How beautiful she is.

Thanks for the feel good story. We can't have too many of those.

[democratisphere]

4. The Snowy owl is a magificently beautiful bird; those gorgeous eyes!

Thanks for the good news on the rehab and release of this stunning creature Omaha Steve!

[raven mad]

8. We see these beauties quite often in the Interior.

THANK YOU, RAPTOR CENTERS!!!!

[mahannah]

9. Great save. We should do it for people too.

[NCTraveler]

10. Great story. Thanks for the smile. Nt

[irisblue]

11. Thanks for this OS

[Stuart G]

12. Thank you for a wonderful story....k and r.

[Rebl2]

13. They were seen

in the Kansas City area earlier this winter-way out of the area they are normally found.