Blue Ridge Wildlife Center Patient of the Week: Great Horned Owl

You may recognize this adult Great Horned Owl who was featured as Patient of the Week on August 22nd.

This bird was found on the ground, unable to stand, disoriented, and quiet. These neurologic displays are signs of West Nile Virus (WNV), a mosquito-borne virus that can be lethal in a variety of species including birds, humans, and horses. However, both the WNV and HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) tests came back negative.

Unfortunately, we can’t be sure exactly what caused this bird to be down—these signs may have been caused by trauma or by a disease for which we did not test.

Thankfully, within a week this bird was much improved with supportive care. And after graduating through all of our outdoor pre-release enclosures, it was finally released!

As you can see, this owl was a little unsure at first when brought back near the found location, but after a short time it flew off and landed in a nearby tree. We hope this bird lives a happy, healthy life in the wild!

Did you know?…

Great Horned Owls are apex predators—a predator at the top of the food chain that plays a crucial role in balancing prey populations within the ecosystem. Their wings are shaped and fringed for silent flight, taking their prey by surprise! And although they weigh only 2-3 pounds themselves, they are strong enough to lift prey as heavy as 5 pounds.

Looking for an easy way to help native wildlife? Become a monthly BRWC donor! For as little as $5/month, you can provide year-round, sustainable support that helps us fulfill our mission.