White Little Owl

Barn Owl Centre · #1 (**permalink**) 23-06-2006, 08:05 PM

A Wild young Little Owl was brought in today & on seeing this youngster we were taken aback by its colour & facial difference to a normal youngster.

The difference can be seen in the image attached.

To see the white Little Owl live via a web cam CLICK HERE

Please note there are 5 other wild orpans on the cam, the white one is there & might become visable at anytime.

I would be very interested to hear anyone's views regarding this strange & unusual discovery.

Kind Regards

Vincent Jones
The Barn Owl Centre

Wild-Woman · #2 (**permalink**) 23-06-2006, 08:30 PM

I suppose the little chap has a form of leucism. Are his eyes a normal colour? I think he's beautiful. ww

Alan · #3 (**permalink**) 23-06-2006, 09:01 PM

Nice pics there Vincent, interesting stuff

I wonder if you get black snowy owls

Barn Owl Centre · #4 (**permalink**) 11-07-2006, 06:47 PM

On Tuesday 27th June 06 we took the White Little Owl to our avian vet for the reason so he can be assessed for release back to the wild or to stay in captivity. The decision made was that he could not be released for many reasons with the main reason being his welfare & predators that would simply prey on him. Whist at the vet the eyes of the Little Owl were closely inspected by 4 avian vets & what was found was not normal in anyway, not seen before!

The pupils in both eyes were able to move independently. Reason.

The pupils are set in front of the iris with very fine strands of nerve endings, these nerves were not attached to the iris, which is why the pupils are able to move like they do. Most of the time the pupils will sit normal in front of the iris but when they move it’s very noticeable.

The pupils should be suspended by nerves that are connected & set slightly behind the iris. The eyes of all Owls are normally fixed in the socket but with the White Little Owl they simply move.

Possible problems the Owl will encounter.

If? The liquid at the back of the eye/iris leaks through to the front of the eye/cornea then the movement of the pupils will create friction burns, if? This occurs the Owl will end up having damage caused to the eyes, where soars/blindness could occur. If this happens then sadly this would mean he would have to be put to sleep. Let’s hope this doesn’t happen!!

Through constant observations via a number of CCTV cameras positioned in the aviary, these also being web linked, we can see that the Owl is doing really well with no complications to be concerned about; When they are all awake, the white Owl is always playing around with his orphaned brothers & sisters daily, which is a pleasure to watch. Bobby his foster mum also has been brilliant, surprisingly she as taken more to the white Owlet than the others & on top of this she has become very protective over him. The Owls vision seems to be good & watching him get around on the perches & shooting through the entrance of the nest box like a dart is very encouraging. With all of this going on we are prepared just in case the worse happens.

The Owlet will be staying at the Centre & in the same aviary as Bobby. We just hope that his health does not deteriorate in the future.

The name we have given him is Ashley

Ashley’s Live Web Cam Link

The 5 other orphans will be leaving the aviary at the Centre on Thursday 13th July 2006. They will be transported to the release aviary we have located at a project site, over the duration of a few weeks they will be gently released back to the wild where these little fella's belong.

wildone · #5 (**permalink**) 11-07-2006, 06:53 PM

Thank you for that. Although Ashley will have to remain at the centre let's hope that his eyes remain free from trouble. Great news to know that the other 5 orphans are to be released to the wild where they belong. A great success story!

Boddie · #6 (**permalink**) 11-07-2006, 07:00 PM

I say, I say I say, why have you called it Ashley?

I thought Ashley was a Peacock.

Boom boom

Think about it

Barn Owl Centre · #7 (**permalink**) 11-07-2006, 07:02 PM

He's a delicate Little Owl not a "it"

Fair play, there is always one lol.

Barn Owl Centre · #8 (**permalink**) 13-07-2006, 04:22 PM

Update on the pre-release:
The 6 wild Little Owl orphans minus Ashley were taken to the release avairy this afternoon for the next stage of their journey, this is before they get gently released back to the wild. They will stay in the release aviary for about a fort-night before the feeding hatch is lowered.

A great day all round but for poor Bobby the young she had been fostering have been taken away from her for the purpose of getting them back to the wild. Lets just hope Bobby & Ashley support each other from this day on.

The team filming for BBC Countryfile had a great day & the footage taken should be shown on Countrfile on the 6th August 06.

Thanks to those who have been following this episode.

Vince

Owl-Light · #9 (**permalink**) 28-09-2006, 02:49 PM

May I ask how Ashley is doing now and do you have any updated pictures of him? I hope he's well and would love to see how he is growing ip.
I've tried to access your webcam but I think I must be missing a plug in or something.

honeybee · #10 (**permalink**) 28-09-2006, 02:56 PM

He's not in the nest box at the mo so can't see him.

Owl-Light · #11 (**permalink**) 28-09-2006, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honeybee

He's not in the nest box at the mo so can't see him.

I can access the webcam now - no one to be seen, I'll check back later.

Barn Owl Centre · #12 (**permalink**) 28-09-2006, 03:42 PM

Hi Sheryl,

Ashley is in & out of the nest box on a regular basis now, best time to see him on cam 1 would be about 6pm, this for him is tea time

Ashley is doing exceptionally well at the moment & at times he actually takes some of his moods out on Bobby, his foster mum.

Many thanks for showing an interest in this delightful charactor.

All the best

Vince

Owl-Light · #13 (**permalink**) 28-09-2006, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barn Owl Centre

Hi Sheryl,

Ashley is in & out of the nest box on a regular basis now, best time to see him on cam 1 would be about 6pm, this for him is tea time

Ashley is doing exceptionally well at the moment & at times he actually takes some of his moods out on Bobby, his foster mum.

Many thanks for showing an interest in this delightful charactor.

All the best

Vince

Thank you, I'll check the cam at around 6 then. Looking forward to seeing him.

I visited your Center a year or so ago and had the pleasure of meeting some of your wonderful Owls. Very impressed with the work you do.

Sheryl