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So nothing too exciting happened today, expect for an unusual critter coming into the vet clinic... so here comes the nerd in me

The Barred Owl (Strix varia) is found all over the eastern United States from Florida to Texas and up into Canada. They have an average wing span range of 39-43 inches and average weight of 16-37 ounces. They have round heads with no ear tufts, dark eyes, and belly feather of some Barred Owls are pink, which is believed to be linked to eating a lot of crayfish. Usually the underparts of a Barred owl are white with dark streaks. They are opportunistic hunters and will often eat pray that is easy to catch such as small reptiles, amphibians, and rodents, but will prey also on woodchucks, geese, and herons. These owls can often been found hunting in open country, over farmlands and along roadsides and rivers.

Barred owls are usually found in areas with mature forest and heavily wooded swamps. They are known to established long term pair bonds and nest territoriality which makes them fairly sedentary creatures. Barred owls usually lay 2-3 egg, which are incubated solely by the female for approximately 28-33 days. By 4-6 weeks the young owls being to branch out, but do not fledge until they are closer to 6 weeks. Here are a few pictures I found from ages 1 to 6 weeks. Aren't they precious?

Week 1


Week 2 & 3


Week 4


Week 5


Week 6


And here is the guy that came to the clinic. He may have been hit by a car.



Here is also a quick video....