Western Screech Owl and Thank You
This Western Screech Owl was recently admitted to Tucson Wildlife Center after becoming caught in a snap trap. Our wildlife care team carefully removed the trap, and radiographs confirmed the owl had no fractures, only a tarsal abrasion—a skin injury on the lower leg segment.
This little owl was incredibly lucky; snap traps often cause crushed bones, amputations, or fatal internal injuries in wildlife. After treatment and recovery, the owl has been successfully released back into the wild.
Snap traps may seem like a quick solution to rodent problems, but they pose a serious risk to non-target animals, including birds, squirrels, lizards, and even family pets. TWC encourages the use of safe, humane alternatives such as enclosed catch-and-release traps or rodent-proofing your home.
Fun Facts: Despite their name, Western Screech Owls rarely “screech.” Their usual call is a soft, bouncing series of whistles—more like a horse’s whinny. Year-round residents in Arizona, these tiny owls love to nest in abandoned woodpecker cavities, natural tree hollows, palm tree skirts, or nest boxes.
If you would like to help patients like this Western Screech Owl click this link to donate,
Another way you can contribute is to visit our “wish list” on Amazon or Chewy below:
We appreciate it, as will all the wild animals in our care!
Thank you to everyone who answered our recent call for medium and large reptile hideouts. Thanks to your generosity, our reptile patients now have safe, cozy spaces to rest and heal while they are in our care!!
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