Autumn's Big Day (Barn Owl Release)

It's seems like only days, but I have been at Fallen Feathers for over three months.  My feathers are all in and I'm starting to fly.  I'm not a baby any more so I don't click for my food.  I've started making other barn owl sounds, mainly my scream.  We barn owls don't hoot like other owls.   

I don't like being around the humans.  I watch them carefully when it's feeding time.  Two days ago, one of the volunteers came into my habitat to take my picture.  She told me I was beautiful.  I tried to intimidate her with my wings and then I was ready to fly away too, if needed.

Today that same volunteer came and took me from my habitat and drove me away.  I screamed at her to tell her how displeased I was but she told me that I would be fine and that I was going back home to see my parents.  I was being released. 

I don't like car rides but it was worth it.  I saw the man who took me to Fallen Feathers.  He was very excited to have me back in the area.  He told us where my parents live and said that I have a sibling that just started flying too.    I hope they will welcome me back.

I was taken good care of.  I'm healthy and strong.  I'm ready to face the whole world. 

Autumn, the Barn Owl 

It was a Fowl Kind of Day

I don't want to jinx anything, but it's been a little quiet around Fallen Feathers these days.   The last of the baby doves and pigeons are grown.  Most of the intakes now are injured birds.  It's time to get projects done.  Volunteers have been building new aviaries and taking down old structures that no longer fit our needs.  We are "cleaning house". 

For two of us, it's also our very lucky day.  Today is the day that I get released.  I'm Charles, the Coot.  I'm also called a mud hen.  I'm a water fowl that has a chicken like beak but webbed feet.  I was rescued by the Brophy College Preparatory Rowing Team  at Tempe Town Lake and brought all the way up to Fallen Feathers.   Mac, the coach checks on me regularly, makes me feel very special. 

Charles, the Coot and Mel, the Mallard



Charles, the Coot was very excited to be released and quickly joined up with fellow coots in the pond.

 

Mel, the Mallard, casually surveyed the area before joining the flock.

 

 

For more information about Fallen Feathers, please visit our website at www.fallenfeathers.org