Eurasian eagle owl (Eurasian eagle owl( – photo by Mila Zinkova
Can You Have a Pet Owl?
The word “owl” refers to any member of the order Strigiformes. Species in this order are mainly characterized by their nocturnal habits, preference for a solitary social life, and unique plumage structures that allow silent flight, with a few exceptions. . All owls are carnivorous, mostly eating small rodents and other mammals.
Owls have always been revered animals. However, their popularity has seen a sharp rise since the debut of Harry Potter movies, featuring owls as friendly companions to story wizards and mail carriers. As a result, more and more people find the idea of a pet owl interesting, reveling in their portrayal in the movies and media they consume. But is it a realistic dream?
Expectations vs. Reality
Most people who are interested in owning an owl as a pet have unrealistic expectations of how owls will behave as a pet. Given the lack of proprietary information on them, this is not surprising; a quick Google search of any questions about the mere idea of having a pet owl is met with vitriol and derision. People are just being told not to hire one by people who don’t want them.
It is important to separate fiction from fact, to realize that owls are their own unique species, and to respect them as such. Owls do not behave like parrots, which are very social birds. They will not actively seek your attention, and most will not allow being petted or held due to their solitary nature. They are messy, like all birds, and require effort to maintain. And their lifespans are long, with the captive life expectancy of a Eurasian eagle owl (Bubo bubo) which is up to 60 years.[1] This, combined with a price of upwards of $6,000 just for the owldoes not appeal to most people.
However, each species of animal has unique farming requirements, handling methods, and responsibilities attached to them, large or small. For those truly interested in owning owls, their unique needs are not inherently problematic, just something that needs to be researched and understood.
Legality of Owning Owls
The first topic to discuss that is directly related to actually owning an owl as a pet is legality. In the United States of America, it is illegal at a federal level to own any species of owl native to North America.[2] This is due to a law known as The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918and this means species such as barn owls (These albums) and snowy owls (I am a scandinavian owl), to name a few, cannot be kept unless you are a licensed falconer with the necessary permits—a process that takes years. A complete list of all bird species protected by the United States Fish & Wildlife Services can be found here.
However, exotic species of owls that are not native to North America are legal to own, as long as your state of residence does not have its own laws regulating them. Exotic species commonly available in the United States are the Eurasian eagle owl (Bubo bubo) and the stunning owl (The pulsatrix is punctured). The Eurasian eagle owl is one of the largest and most powerful owl species, and most breeders do not sell to people inexperienced in handling large raptors because of the capacity to damage these birds.
Other species of exotic owls such as the white-faced owl (Ptilopsis leucotis) and little owl (Athens is nocturnal) are better choices as pets because of their small size. In the United States, these species are almost never seen even in zoos, so prospective owners have to look into having a bird imported from a country like the United Kingdom; a very time-consuming, expensive task with its own plethora of legalities beyond the scope of this article.
Diet
Owls are obligate carnivores. Because of this, they should only be fed meat, and sometimes insects, depending on the species. Larger species of owls such as the Eurasian eagle owl will have slightly different dietary requirements compared to smaller species such as barn owls, which eat smaller prey in the wild.
Suitable food sources for most pet owls include day-old chicks and mice, which are readily available from local pet stores or ordered online. Species that feed on insects in the wild may feed on house crickets, dubia roaches, mealworms, and silkworms. Feeding your owl foods such as packaged chicken or beef is not nutritionally adequate or acceptable.[3]
An adult Barn Owl can eat 1½ to 2 dead day-old chicks per night (roughly equivalent to 3 voles). When feeding wild or captive Barn Owls, use common sense. Increase or decrease the food supply according to the amount the owls take. Some will eat 2 chicks every night and a hungry bird may eat 3. Remember that 2 medium-sized mice are roughly equivalent to 1 day old chick.
— The Barn Owl Trust UK
Feeding owls is not for the squeamish and can get very messy. Any uneaten or discarded food should be immediately removed from the enclosure, and surfaces that come into contact with prey should be regularly cleaned with a bird-safe cleaning solution to prevent bacteria and spoilage. . Hygiene is a must when keeping owls.
Scottish Owl Centre
Housing
Enclosures should offer enough room to allow your owl to fully spread its wings and exhibit natural behaviors, such as short flights. Owls are relatively sedentary compared to other raptor species, and their enclosure sizes, as a result, are smaller than those required for other raptors.[4]
Recommended enclosure sizes vary depending on the type of owl you own. The table below shows an example of the enclosure size you will need for legal species in the United States.
| Species | Length width | height |
|---|---|---|
|
White Faced Scops Owl, Pygmy Owl |
9 .8 x 5.0 Feet |
9.0 feet |
|
Eurasian Eagle Owl |
29.0 x 11.5 Feet |
9.0 feet |
The substrates used for enclosures are diverse. Many people use sand, pea gravel, or grass. Mulch, aspen bedding, and straw are not recommended because of their potential to harbor molds that are toxic to birds when their airborne spores are inhaled. Wood chips are also commonly used, but require care to ensure they do not stay wet.[5] Concrete and other hard and sharp surfaces should be avoided. The substrate must be cleaned regularly.
Enclosures can be equipped with ledges, appropriately sized rope and branch perches, and non-toxic plants. Shallow baths are necessary for your owl, and can be purchased at falconry supply stores, as are all other owl care needs.
Health and safety
If you own a pet owl, you can’t bring it to your local vet. Owls are exotic animals, and only veterinary clinics that specialize in treating exotics will treat them. Having a qualified veterinarian is essential to your owl’s health. Owls do not require vaccinations like a dog or cat, but exotic veterinarians with knowledge of raptors are an invaluable asset to any owner.
Owls have the physical capacity to harm humans, commensurate with the size of the bird. Smaller species such as pygmies and white-faced owls are not to be worried about; but large owls, such as great horned owls, can exert up to 500lbs of pressure per square inch with their feet– more Eurasian eagle owls. Combined with large, sharp claws, it can send an adult to the ER. Experience handling large raptors is recommended before getting one for this very reason.
Abernathy’s Rabbitry
I Recommend Doing More Research
In general, the idea of having an owl as a pet tends to be more appealing than the reality of it. Owls require hard work and dedication to provide for their entire lives and are a significant financial investment.
This article was not written with the intention of being your only source of information on this topic. If you are still interested in owning an owl, I recommend that you get hands-on experience working with them at your local raptor or wildlife center, peruse the falconry forums, and read some of the There are many books available on owls and other raptors.
View the original article to view embedded media.
Sources
[1] Owlcation – Education. 2021. Everything You Wanted to Know About the Eurasian Eagle Owl.
[2] fws.gov. 2021. US Fish and Wildlife Service – Migratory Bird Program | Preserving America’s Birds
[3] The Barn Owl Trust. 2021. Feeding Barn Owls.
[4] McKeever, K., Redig, P., Evans, R. and Heyden, N., 1987. Care and rehabilitation of injured owls. Vineland [Ont.]: Owl Rehabilitation Research Foundation.
[5] Ash, L., 2021. The Modern Apprentice – Mews.
This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. It is not intended to replace diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals showing signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.
