PENNSYLVANIA (WHP) — One of Pennsylvania’s tiniest owls, rescued from a cold swimming pool, was deemed ready to return to the wild last week, Raven Ridge Wildlife Center said.
An Eastern Screech Owl was rescued from a frigid swimming pool by a game warden and brought back to the wildlife center. At the time of rescue, the warden wasn’t sure if the little owl was still alive.
After several hours of effort, rehabilitation officials at Raven Ridge were able to get the owl warm and dry. Following a careful examination, officials said they were relieved to find the owl had no injuries; it was just exhausted.
A few days of fluids, rest, and tasty food were just what the owl needed. It showed it was ready to go back to the wild, the wildlife center said.
“The smaller the bird, the bigger the attitude,” Raven Ridge wrote in the announcement. “The Eastern Screech Owl may be small, but it has a big personality.”
According to the sanctuary, those little owls are clever and sometimes “play dead” as a way to protect themselves when threatened or scared.
Eastern Screech Owls often come in two colors: gray, which is most common in Pennsylvania, and red.
These little birds often eat more than 1,000 mice per year and play a vital role in helping to control small mammal populations.