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The little, one-month-old Western Screech Owl had just
left the nest and was beginning to learn the basics of flight
and silent-hunting. He had not yet fully molted from down
to feathers and it would be a bit longer before his talons
could pick up a large rodent. Though we will never know
the exact circumstances, it is most probable that his inexperience
caused him to collide with a vehicle on the night of May
29th. The next morning, he was found lying at the end of
a driveway in Gilroy, with very serious injuries to his
head.
 Dr.
Laura Bellinghausen, DVM, examined and x-rayed the 7”
long owl. The body and wings had fortunately escaped injury,
but its right eardrum was ruptured and its right eye had
suffered grievous damage. The small owl was in severe pain.
Since the eye would never heal or regain sight, surgery
was performed by Dr. Fern Van Sant of ‘For the Birds’
in Los Gatos, with Dr. Bellinghausen assisting, to remove
the infected eye and close the socket. After recuperation
from surgery, the remaining eye was found to be slightly
cloudy and an additional examination by Dr. Patrick McCallum,
ophthalmologist at ‘South Bay Veterinary Specialists’
in San Jose, concluded that the slight cataract would not
further impair the owl. Such disabilities precluded the
owl’s release to the wild, as perfect vision and hearing
are required for night-time hunting. The owl would never
be able to survive on its own.
However, because of the bird’s young age and because
it was otherwise in perfect health, it made a wonderful
candidate as an educational animal for a wildlife center.
The owl has been named “Bogie”, after Humphrey
Bogart who spoke those immortal words, “Here’s
looking at you, kid”. Word was sent out on the rehabilitation
“grapevine”. Soon, W.E.R.C. received a call
from the Sheep Creek Wild Bird Center in Fairbanks, Alaska,
that they would be thrilled to have the owl join its team
of non-releasable owls, other raptors and a raven. Though
not common in most of Alaska, the Western Screech Owl is
found all along the western coast of Canada to southeast
Alaska, as well as the lower western United States. W.E.R.C.
carefully investigated the facility and found it would make
an excellent new home for Bogie, but then we had to find
a way to get him there! Bogie made his first celebrity appearance
in the San Jose Mercury News on July 21, 2005
San Jose Mercury-News Bogie's
article
The community response to Bogie’s situation was amazing.
Though there were many offers and leads for transportation,
two anonymous donors, bird lovers and friends of W.E.R.C.,
purchased Bogie’s ticket to Alaska. On August 23,
Bogie headed for Alaska accompanied by a W.E.R.C. escort
and showing a strong dislike for how planes feel when they
land! Upon arrival at the Center, not only did he receive
an enthusiastic welcome from his new caretakers, but the
Northern Lights made a rare August appearance, a very good
omen according to the locals. Bogie made himself comfortable
right away in his new home, experienced rain for the first
time in his life and is now adjusting to other “non-California”
weather.
W.E.R.C. extends thanks to the community for its continued
support and to our generous donors for giving a “HOOT”
about wildlife!
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