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Back to the Wild
By Julie Finnis, Head Warden, Suffolk Owl Sanctuary


Suffolk Owl Sanctuary takes in sick and injured wild owls and birds of prey. They are treated according to their needs and where possible released back to the wild. Julie Finnis explains how it's done...

Little Owl - Photo © Copyright 2004 Julie Finnis
Little Owl Chick

UK Safari Tip:
Get help identifying birds with the superbly illustrated "Top 50 Garden Birds" identification chart - click here


When orphaned owls like this one are brought to the Suffolk Owl anctuary we handle them as little as possible before we attempt to return them to nature.

A wild owl needs to be kept wary of humans. An owl which has been hand-raised believes that humans are its parents, and grows to rely on humans to provide it with food. This deters it from learning to hunt properly for itself.

The method we use for returning young owls to the wild is called "Hacking Back". It involves putting the youngsters into what's known as a "hack box". where they are fed, and are able to see the outside world. The hack box is a slightly extended and enlarged nest box enclosed with a removable mesh grill.

If we are brought a single baby owl we hope to find a companion for it. Placing two birds together allows them to learn from each other, and they will be less inclined to imprint onto humans. We place the babies inside the box and secure the front in place so that they cannot get out and predators cannot get in.

Hack Box - Photo © Copyright 2004 Julie Finnis
A hack box fixed to the rear of an
old barn facing onto a set-aside field.



Orphaned Little Owls - Photo © Copyright 2004 Julie Finnis
 Two orphaned Little Owls are
housed inside.


Checking the Owls - Photo © Copyright 2004 Julie Finnis
We visit the box twice daily, taking
food and fresh water.


In the early stages the owls cannot get out of the box, but as they grow they can view the world outside. At the right moment we remove the front of the box so they are free to leave when they're ready.

In most cases the young owls will continue to treat the box as home, exploring their surroundings, but returning to pick up the food that we continue to provide.

If they stay close to the box we start to reduce the quantity of food, encouraging them to hunt for themselves. Over the next couple of weeks they will become independent.


Track Down More Info

Suffolk Owl Sanctuary
Little Owl wallpaper for your desktop
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Click for InfoUnderstanding Owls: Biology Management Breeding Training (Jemima Parry-Jones)
A guide to caring for owls, covering topics such as: biology; taxonomy; housing; equipment; incubation; rearing; and training and flying owls.

Click for Info The Really Useful Owl Guide 
(Jemima Parry-Jones)







 © 2006 G. Bradley. All Rights Reserved