Latest news with #owl
CBS News
2 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Rare burrowing owl rescued after found with damaged wing on Broward roadside, officials say
A rare and threatened species of owl is recovering in an animal hospital after it was found with an injured wing on the side of the road in Broward County on Saturday, officials said. On Saturday evening, Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue responded to a call from a concerned resident reporting an injured burrowing owl near the intersection of Weston Hills and Royal Palms Boulevard in Weston. According to BSFR, the caller said they found the small bird on the side of the road and unable to fly. Upon arrival, firefighters found the owl had a damaged wing, "likely the result of a vehicle strike," BSFR said. So, crews carefully secured the owl, providing it immediate care to ensure its safety and comfort. BSFR said the bird was kept under "close observation" throughout the night before it was taken to the South Florida Wildlife Center in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday morning for specialized evaluation and treatment. The burrowing owl is a protected species in Florida, known for nesting in open and treeless areas, BSFR said. "These small, ground-dwelling birds are a rare and valued part of South Florida's ecosystem," the agency added. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the burrowing owl is designated by the state of Florida as a threatened species because of continued loss of habitat due to human and domesticated animal development and harassment. Other threats to the owl's survival include heavy floods that destroy its burrows, increasing predators and vehicle strikes. Though it doesn't have an international designation, burrowing owls are also protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the FWC said.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Woman Makes Owl To Scare Magpies, Accidentally Invents New Bird Religion
Woman Makes Owl To Scare Magpies, Accidentally Invents New Bird Religion originally appeared on PetHelpful. In what might be the most unintentionally hilarious DIY fail of the year, a woman's attempt to scare away the magpies outside her home with a handmade, paper mache owl turned into an unexpected bird-worshipping ceremony. TikTok user sarahjane72 shared the video, capturing the moment local magpies gathered around her homemade 'owl deterrent', and appeared to revere it as some sort of glowing green eyed, feathered deity. Then, they engaged in what appeared to be a spooky ceremony of some sort which just makes me laugh harder the more times I watch it! Heeeeellllpppp! It's so funny!!! Those magpies look so reverent! Are they like... bowing? OMG. Too much! Autumn_Flowers said, 'I think they have mistaken it for a dead magpie and are upset' while Leftovercheese lamented that, 'Everyone but me is in a cult these days.' Another is like me: 'I have tears running down my face.' LOLOL! Do Owls Really Scare Magpies? Owls are natural predators of many smaller bird species, including magpies. Their presence usually serves as a visual deterrent, warning other birds to stay away from the area. Science backs it up–sometimes. That's why humans have been propping fake owls up everywhere from gardens to rooftops for years. But here's the catch: Birds: especially magpies, are not dumb. Experts warn that if you leave a fake owl sitting still, they will quickly figure out it's a total fraud. It's recommended to regularly move the decoys or rotate them in order to maintain their effectiveness. Did Sarah's magpies believe her ruse for a minute? Errr, oh no. I'm laughing again as I'm picturing their weird little ceremony.I don't think they bought into it. What did Sarah's magpies do? They skipped the fear part, formed a cult, and left the internet howling. The owl is their leader now. You can't fight nature, especially when it decides to be hilarious. I'm not adept at these things, but I just might take a shot at crafting my own bird leader. Perhaps I'll shoot for a demigod to start. Woman Makes Owl To Scare Magpies, Accidentally Invents New Bird Religion first appeared on PetHelpful on Aug 10, 2025 This story was originally reported by PetHelpful on Aug 10, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
The Independent
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
As my owl chick's life hung by a thread, I started haggling with the universe
THE BARGAIN At three weeks old my owl chick was on the brink of death And so my bargains with the Universe began. If there was a choice between the sale of a house not collapsing And the bird surviving, then I'd choose the breath of feathers and remarket immediately. If there was a choice between the overdue exit of a tenant Unpaid for long beyond tenure, And the bird surviving, then I'd choose the fledgling's life and go to court. If there was a choice between the rebuild of my computer Three weeks in the making and with me, still waiting, And the bird surviving, then I'd choose the life of the chick and a notebook and pen. If there was a choice between fixing the fridge freezer I'd waited a week for in the midst of a heatwave, And the bird surviving, then I'd let the meat rot, and the milk go off again. And so, I learned the unimportance of what does not matter. With rubber wings that already itch for the sky.
The Sun
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Springwatch viewers furiously slam show as they demand bosses warn them before grisly scenes
SPRINGWATCH viewers have slammed the show and demanded bosses warn them before grisly scenes. Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan updated fans on a short-eared owl's next - which was first shown last week. 4 4 4 However, the BBC show faced viewer backlash following scenes of one animal's demise. Chris explained: "There were six youngsters in the nest" and added: "Last night there were only two left in the nest." The other four had spread out in a bid to avoid capture by predators. Meanwhile, Michaela admitted the team was "really surprised" upon telling viewers how one chick ate its sibling. This occurred after "nights of hunger" and the younger chick became "weak and defenceless". Viewers were horrified by the disturbing scenes and soon shared their reactions on social media. One wrote: "Baby owl eating its sibling alive ffs. Give us a 5-minute warning next time." Another penned: "Ffs that was didn't die and get eaten, it was pulled apart alive poor thing." A third chimed in: "Oh no, the owl chick eating its sibling whilst still alive. Horrible." While a fourth commented: "Oh my was grim, poor baby." Michaela Strachan looks worlds away from Springwatch as she celebrates family wedding Earlier this year, Michaela, 59, opened up about an off-screen row with Chris, 64. Admitting they are sometimes opposites in their presenting styles, Michaela said in an interview with The Times: 'He has all the facts, whereas I love the stories surrounding a particular nest. "Last year I had to really fight my corner — a buzzard pecked its sibling to death and chucked it out of the nest onto the ground. "Chris and the team wanted to put a camera on all the beasts that were eating it. Everything you need to know about Springwatch Springwatch began in 2005 and showcases British wildlife during the changing of the seasons in the United Kingdom It's presented by Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan, Iolo Williams and Megan McCubbin Chris and Michaela joined the show from 2009 and 2011 onwards, respectively Just like last year, the long-running series is broadcasting live from RSPB Arne in Dorset A total of 19 series have aired to date, with the 20th edition now on air on BBC Two The show's popularity over the years spawned spin-offs Autumnwatch and Winterwatch Autumnwatch began as a one-off, but was expanded into its own series from 2006 to 2022 Last year, the Beeb cancelled Autumnwatch citing budget concerns and having a smaller audience than its counterparts The original presenting line-up for Springwatch included comedian and conservationist Bill Oddie, television presenter Kate Humble and naturalist Simon King Bill, known for his work with The Goodies, exited the programme in 2008, followed by Simon in 2010 and Kate in 2011 "He was saying, 'It's really interesting.' I said, 'Yes, but it's a step too far. Our audience has invested in that little chick, we don't need to see it now being decimated with a slow-mo camera.' "In the end we didn't have room for the footage." Michaela added: "You've got to keep it a little bit positive.' Springwatch airs on BBC Two and iPlayer. 4
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Voices: On discovering the real sex of my owl, I began to hatch a plan
THE EGG Lists of concerns that concern me, litter my head on waking, Shuffling their order of importance and urgency. Some things remain undone And it becomes their natural state over time, as they fossilize. Notes of ideas for books from 2010 are heaped in my study as evidence Of my ideas back then. Paintings remain unhung, Being constantly pushed aside by the here and now actions I make daily. And then there's the egg in the incubator: It may have an owl in it. For six years its mother kept her secret So well that I called her Oscar. Her certificate did not sex her. Out of three, she broke two: I feel fated to hatch one If it doesn't die in the shell as a swirling mess of Eurasian owl abstractions And the beginnings of soft bone, or collapse after hatching Like a deflating toy, unable to retain air, tired of life before living it. And then all the urgencies, demands, and other obligations, The arrangements, invitations and social gatherings, Will cease to matter as I devote my waking hours To the upkeep of this one perfect being, whose needs Will outstrip everything as it doubles in size every three days, Becoming beak and claws, with eyes as big as gobstoppers And the cry of an owl child.
