In our area it has long been perceived exclusively as a wild, bird of prey, the main habitat of which is the forest. But everything changed dramatically after the release of the legendary Harry Potter epic. In this film, barn owls appeared in the form of postmen, whose appearance was associated with the fabulous Horgvards. Needless to say, almost every child immediately wanted himself such a real, living bird?
Owl barn owl, the maintenance of which requires special attention at home, has become a desired pet for many adults. At the same time, few people think that she is a real predator, and her correct maintenance in a house or apartment may require certain victims from the owner.
Wonderful bird
In Latin, the name of this bird sounds like Tyto alba, which in Russian means "barn owl". This bird is found almost anywhere in the world and has another common name - barn owl barn owl. On average, its length reaches 33-40 cm, and the wingspan, as a rule, does not exceed 95 cm. It has a small weight - not more than 700 g.
Owls of barn owls attract attention due to their pretty appearance, and they also have a very soft, pleasant to the touch plumage. And the main distinguishing feature of this species from others is the facial corolla, which has an original heart shape.
Difference from other species
In addition to the facial disc, which has a pronounced heart-shaped shape, the barn owl, the photo of which can be seen in our article, differs from its counterparts in a lighter plumage. These birds have a peculiar structure of the auditory apparatus: their right ear is located at the level of the nostrils, and the left - at the level of the forehead. Owing to this arrangement of owl organs, barn owls possess truly ideal hearing. They are able to capture the sounds of a potential victim in a huge range and from different angles.
Barn Owl: where is it
Most often, the bird can be found in wastelands, ravines and in the swamp. In natural conditions, the barn owl, the photo of which is presented in the article, prefers to choose open plains for the village, where there are a small number of trees.
Also, these birds are very fond of settling near human housing and rural farms. The activities of people in forest clearing and land cultivation, unlike many other predators, barn owls are only beneficial. The agricultural work of man greatly facilitates the search for food.
Behavior features
In the wild, this species prefers to lead a solitary lifestyle. At the tips of their wings, these birds have specific fly feathers, making their flight cushioned, becoming very soft, smooth and almost silent. These owls possess almost perfect vision and are well oriented both in daylight and in pitch darkness.
If a person comes close to a wild owl, then, as a rule, it immediately rises into the air, can begin to sway from side to side, and even begin to build different funny grimaces. They prefer to lead a sedentary lifestyle and can live for years in the same favorite place. Only an absence of food can send an owl in search of a new place.
The barn owl shows its activity exclusively at night, but in the afternoon it mainly prefers to sleep. During the breeding season of the owl, barn owls can make various sounds - scream shrillly, hoarse hoarse, sniffle. In quiet periods, birds like to flip their beaks or clatter their tongues.
Cute Owl Food
Lovely heart-shaped face, funny habits and expressive eyes of many owls can be misleading. Being in a state of tenderness, people sometimes forget that this bird is a real predator. Those who think that a barn owl at home can eat like a regular parrot are very mistaken. It must be understood that oats, millet and fruit will not be enough for her.
The basis of the owl diet is made up of various rodents. These can be hamsters, field mice, gerbils, gophers, rats. In nature, these owls can hunt reptiles, invertebrates, shrews, possums. If necessary, the barn owl can also enjoy other small birds, frogs and bats.
Digestion
Even if a person is not embarrassed by the need to feed the bird with living creatures, it is necessary to pay attention to the special digestion process. Owl barn owl at home should definitely receive live food. Some owners try to trick and feed the birds with just fresh meat, chicken and rabbit hearts. Such food can completely upset the digestion of a pet.
The Owl is a barn owl, like other representatives of its genus, has a specific digestive tract, which needs to digest wool and bones. After eating its prey for several hours, the bird forms a puzzle. This is the pellet that an owl spews after eating, and it consists mainly of undigested bones, wool and feathers. It is very important to ensure that after each meal the riddle goes out. After that, she should immediately be cleaned by the owners, because owls, by stupidity, can eat it again.
How to choose a pet and where to buy it
If (despite all the specifics of keeping an owl at home and the upcoming difficulties) it was decided to buy a bird, you need to know where this is done. Today, the offer for these wild predators is quite large. But you should not buy an owl through the Internet or in the bird market. Firstly, it can be sick, and secondly, it can be just caught, absolutely wild individual, which will be very difficult to accustom to life in the apartment.
The ideal option for buying are specialized nurseries, where it is advised to acquire young chicks. Also, employees will be able to advise the owners on any issues and tell you what to do next, after the purchase.
Each owl taken in the nursery has on its foot a special ring with a number stamped on it. When buying, it is important to ensure that the numbers on the bird and on this ring are identical. If there is such an opportunity, after acquiring a pet, it is recommended to show the ornithologist or at least a veterinarian. The doctor can take the necessary tests, prescribe an x-ray and conduct a full examination, due to which the general condition of the bird is determined.
So, you brought the owl to a new house. Naturally, she can be scared and confused. Do not annoy her with your attention, constantly touching her. The box with the bird needs to be placed in its new room, opened and left the owl alone until it crawls out on its own. Most likely, she will constantly hide, and such a state of stress can last about 3-4 days.
Arrange a cage or room for an owl
An ideal option for a bird to stay is a separate room. All sharp objects and angles that may pose a risk of injury to the bird during flight must be taken out of the room or upholstered with soft material. It is necessary to allocate a sitting corner, but, as a rule, an owl chooses its perch on its own, having chosen a place.
If it is decided to keep the bird in a cage, it must be large so that it can fly in it, spreading its wings completely. Also, do not forget that when kept in a cage, an owl should regularly leave it, walk and fly around the apartment so that its wings do not atrophy.
Clean drinking water must be present in the reach zone at all times. Water is recommended to be changed at least twice a day.
Features of bird care
Very carefully you need to monitor the beak and nails of owls living at home. In case of any deformation or damage to the beak, the owl should be shown to the doctor. Regarding the nails - almost all the owners shear them to their pets, because they are very sharp in owls and often lead to various injuries. It is best if this procedure is carried out by a specialist. If you can’t turn to an ornithologist, you should cut your nails very carefully, removing only the white part. In the place where the nail darkens or streaks are visible, nothing can be touched. These veins are blood vessels, and their damage will be very painful for the bird.
How to feed an owl
It is possible to feed a pet only after it has lost the riddle due to a previous meal. Otherwise, the owl may have an obstruction of the stomach. If it is fed with improper food, after which a riddle is not formed, this leads to a complete disruption of the digestive tract and the formation of a stomach ulcer. An owl with such a problem, unfortunately, will not live long and will be greatly tormented.
During the day, an adult can eat about 2-4 mice. However, she can be fed when she asks. One of the rare species that eats only when necessary and does not suffer from excessive gluttony, is a barn owl. The nestling of this bird, especially a small one, can have a completely different relation to food.
Little owls at the age of about several days are required to be fed constantly, almost every half hour. In this case, food must be given at their first request. It is believed that it is impossible to overfeed them. The larger the owlet becomes, the less often should be meals. For example, a bird at the age of one month is fed only 5-6 times a day.
To feed little owls, sometimes mice need to be cut first. The fact is that large rodents, fighting for their lives, will resist and can hurt their paws, and then various inflammations and infections are possible.
What to prepare for if you decide to have an owl at home
As soon as an owl appears at home, without the slightest exaggeration and any doubt, it can be argued that the life of the owner will never be the same. This step should be very deliberate, and a person buying a predatory animal that will be kept in captivity should be aware of the responsibility he takes upon himself.
It is necessary to prepare for the fact that with the onset of darkness, the pet will begin an active life. Constant stomping, clatter, rustling, knocking will become the hallmark of your apartment at night.
The owner of a domestic owl is rarely able to release a rag for cleaning from his hands. These birds go to the toilet very often, in some cases up to 15-20 times a day, and litter must be cleaned constantly. Owls can be emptied anywhere and at any time - sitting, in flight, while playing, swimming, playing games or sleeping. For the sake of justice, it is worth noting that this litter is very easy to clean, leaves no residue and has no pungent odor.
The owl will demand constant attention to itself - every day you need to monitor whether the riddle has gone away after eating, to check the condition of the wings and nails. Most owls are playful in nature and constantly show their curiosity. For this reason, they can not be left unattended for a long time.