Staff Ecstatic Over First Eurasian Eagle-owl Hatchling

                      Mike Lubbock is pleased to announce the hatching of Eurasian Eagle-owl                          at the Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park in late February

Eurasian Eagle-owl hatchling at approximately three weeks old

 

On March 16, 2008, Mike Lubbock, along with General Curator, Brad Hazelton, and Assistant Curator of Aviculture, Katie Kipple, entered the eagle-owl’s aviary to determine the youngster’s size and health status. (See photos below) Hazelton noted the young bird was larger than expected for its estimated age and that feathers were already in development. Since the examination, the young owl has been seen by park visitors as it periodically appears outside its protective nest box.   

 

The parent birds were received by way of a breeding loan from Natural Encounters of Winter Haven, FL. The Eurasian Eagle-owl is the largest species of owl in the world. Wildlife biologists have had some level of success in repopulating the eagle-owl into the wild, a testimony to the importance of breeding conservation programs, such as those conducted at Sylvan Heights.

 

Katie Gipple receives baby eagle-owl from Brad Hazelton        Check out the size of that foot!

Katie Gipple, Mike Lubbock and Brad Hazelton at Owl Exhibit after successful examination