Types of Pet Owls

 Pet Owls: 7 Types of Owls That Can Be Domesticated

From their silent flight and nocturnal inclinations to their distinctive facial discs, owls are fantastic creatures. Owls are not pets, although some have been seen in the homes of serious bird keepers. In this article, we will look closer at the different types of owls that can be kept as pets, their unique features, care requirements, and things to consider before bringing one into your home.

Introduction to Owls as Pets

Owls are predatory birds that must be kept in the wild, and they need special treatment and space. Keeping owls as pets is a huge responsibility and is not advisable for the new bird owner. Owls are not for everyone, and it is vital to be aware of their needs, the laws surrounding their keeping, and the commitment involved before making the decision.

Legal Considerations

Be All That You Can. Before attempting to own an owl, it’s essential to understand the law in your area. In many jurisdictions, keeping an owl as a pet requires special permits and is subject to stringent rules. These laws exist to protect the owls and their prospective owners.

Common Types of Pet Owls

There are over 200 species of owls,  but only a few are usually kept as pets due to their size, temperament, and care requirements. Some of the most common types of pet owls include

Barn Owl (Tyto alba)

The Barn Owl is one of the most widely distributed species of owl, notable for its unique heart-shaped face and spectral white coloration.

Characteristics:

Size: Medium; wingspan 31–37 inches.

Description: White,  heart-shaped face; pale underparts; golden-buff back and wings with fine grey and black speckling.

Temperament: Usually a calm dog, but can be skittish and nervous around strangers.

Care Requirements:

Food: Mainly rodents; a food mix is mice, rats, and day-old chicks.

Housing: Needs a big aviary where it can fly a lot. They need perches and nesting boxes.

Socialization: Must be handled regularly to remain tame.

Popularity: Which Breeds Are Most Popular? Health Concerns: Prone to respiratory infections and parasites. It is also important to go for regular veterinary check-ups.

Eurasian Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo)

Summary: The Eurasian Eagle Owl is a large owl with bright orange eyes.

Characteristics:

Size: Large, up to 79 inches wingspan.

Look: Cystaph including ear tufts, hazel receptors, and grey-black plumage.

Temperament: They're highly intelligent and can be very tame if raised by hand, but their large size makes it important to be cautious when handling them.

Care Requirements:

Food: Needs whole prey items, including rabbits, big rats, and other mammals.

Housing: Requires an especially spacious and well-secured aviary. They need things to do, so they should have enrichment items and a perch.

Socialization: Needs large amounts of time and effort for proper socialization and training

Health Concerns: Susceptible to obesity and needs room to fly and exercise. It is also important to get regular health check-ups.

Screech Owl (Megascops asio)

In Brief: Screech Owls are popular, small, adaptable owls for those with limited space.

Characteristics:

Size: Small, approximately 18-24 inches in wingspan.

Appearance: Grey or reddish-brown plumage with streaked patterns; prominent ear tufts;

Temperament: Quite talkative, and makes a distinctive screeching sound, which is easier to handle, due to their size.

Care Requirements:

Diet: Small mammals, insects, and occasionally birds. Camsmill® - Can be fed small mice, insects, and other small prey.

Housable: Although they can live in smaller aviaries, they still need plenty of room to fly and perch.

Socialization: Must be handled and interacted with often.

Health Concerns: Look out for stress or nutritional deficiencies. Nail trimming, regular checkups with the vet.

Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia)

Overview: Burrowing Owls are special because they are ground dwellers instead of being arboreal, and they tend to be diurnal, which means they are awake and out during the day, making them a fun animal for pets.

Characteristics:

Average size: Small, with a wingspan of approximately 20-24 inches.

Look: Long legs, round head with little or no ear tufts, speckled brown and white plumage.

Temperament: Very Curious and diurnal (Active during the day). It can be very immersive and participatory.

Care Requirements:

Prey: Prey consists of insects, small mammals, and reptiles. > Requires a balanced diet for healthy growth.

Housing: Needs a secure cage that has ample ground space and provides plenty of opportunities for digging and burrowing

Socialization: Very social and likes to interact with people.

Health Concerns: Susceptible to stress without proper burrowing opportunities. Regular health checkups are important.

What You Need to Know to Care for Your Pet Owl

Diet and Nutrition

Owls are carnivorous and need to be fed the way they would be fed in nature. This usually consists of complete prey items like mice, rats, chicks, and insects. A balanced diet is very important to avoid nutritional deficiencies and diseases.

Housing and Environment

Owls require large aviaries for flying/exercise. Multiple perches at different heights, nesting boxes, and enrichment items to keep the owl mentally stimulated should also be included in the enclosure. At the same time, clean surroundings must be maintained to avoid the spread of diseases.

Socialization and Handling

Owls are pets that need to see and engage with humans frequently as they grow in his or her home. But it’s important to do them properly — you don’t want to stress or injure yourself. Training can also keep the owl and the owner close together.

Health Care

It is essential to routinely take the owl to the vet to check for any potential health issues. It is susceptible to several health problems, such as respiratory infections, parasites, and nutritional deficiencies. We recommend that you consult a veterinarian who has expertise with birds.

Enrichment

Owls are also smart birds; they need mental stimulation. You must ensure that their aviary has an assortment of different toys, perches, and activities to keep them interested and avoid boredom. Examples of enrichment include puzzle feeders, interactive toys, and opportunities to engage in natural behaviors such as hunting and foraging.

Difficulties of Owning Pet Owls

Long-Term Commitment

Some species have lifespans of over 20 years if in captivity. Future adopters should prepare for the long term.

Specialized Care

Owls need specialized, time-consuming, and expensive care. Owning an owl is a huge responsibility, from giving it a proper diet to providing enough housing and veterinary care.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Also, make sure you are aware of the special permits that may be needed to own an owl and ensure the bird was obtained legally and ethically. Many owls are protected species, and removing them from the wild is illegal and detrimental to wild populations.

Noise and Mess

Owls are known to be vocal at night, which can be disruptive. Their high waste production makes it a daily chore to clean out the enclosure.

Conclusion

Owls are gorgeous and magnificent animals and make fabulous pets for dedicated and experienced owners. Understanding the subtleties of what each species requires — from diet and housing to socialization and health care — can help keep them out of human care. Owls should only be kept by those who are willing and able to fulfill the long-term commitment and responsibility of caring for these magnificent birds. Just like any well-cared-for pet, owls can do well in captivity and give their humans fulfilling relationships.