WhooieBarn Owl
Tyto alba
Whooie's plight is due to human ignorance. Along with his sibling who did not survive, he was illegally taken from his nest cavity while still a downy owlet. Fed an improper diet of hamburger during his very early developmental stages, Whooie has bone metabolic disease. By the time Whooie was twelve weeks old, surgery necessitated by the bone problems had deprived him of any chance to ever live in the wild.
Raptors are very fast growing birds, attaining their full adult size in just twelve weeks after hatching. Whooie's poor diet totally lacked the calcium necessary for a young Barn Owl to form healthy "long" bones such as the humerus in the upper wing and the femur in the thigh. A direct result of the calcium deficiency, the type of injury Whooie sustained is referred to as a "folding fracture." The weakened bones cannot withstand the stress of such rapid growth and literally collapse or "fold" in on themselves.
Unable to raise them because of the fractures, this young chick's wings began to drag on the ground. Since there was no way to surgically repair this damage, Whooie's wingtips were amputated rendering him incapable of flight. Although birds are entirely covered with feathers, the primary flight feathers are located on the wing tips. Feathers are replaced every year by a process known as molting, but once the follicles where feather growth begins are damaged, or as in Whooie's case removed, those feathers will never grow back. Because the flight feathers are very long and stiff, Whooie's wings appear exceptionally short.
Stories like Whooie's are of vital importance. Not only is it imperative that people understand the harm ultimately caused when wild birds are kept in captivity, it is also critical to understand that no wild animal ever makes a good pet. Although Whooie responded well to glove training, he exhibits the true disposition of a wild owl. Even though he is cooperative on the glove during education presentations, Whooie does not like the company of humans and prefers to be left alone.
Whooie does well as an education bird. When in his mew, Whooie exhibits many mannerisms typical of his species, such as "toe-dusting" and loud, raucous vocalizing, but during education presentations he often seems to be on good behavior, perching quietly. Although found on every continent except Antarctica, Barn Owls are elusive and rarely seen in the wild making Whooie very popular with bird enthusiasts and the general public as well.
Whooie can be sponsored through the Adopt-a-Bird program.
Call 407-461-1056 or e-mail info@adoptabird.org for details
on how you can make Whooie a part of your family!
