| | TRR photo by Scott Rando
This is Ki Ki D after being checked out by the Delaware Valley Raptor Center staff. She is about a full pound heavier in this picture compared to when she was first rescued. The “horns” which give this owl its name are not ears, but tufts of feathers called “plumicorns.” An owl’s ears are indentations in the skull that are hidden by feathers. The indentation on one side of the skull of an owl is higher than the other side, enabling asynchronous hearing that aids its ability to locate prey by sound at night.
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Rescue, rehab, and release: The story of a great horned owl
Occasionally, a wild animal gets into trouble due to injury or disease and can no longer fend for itself. This usually spells the end if the animal can’t forage or defend itself. Sometimes, injured wildlife is found by well-meaning people who try to treat and raise the animal. This usually does not work, because these animals require specialized care and diet. Also, young animals can acquire human imprinting, after which they cannot be expected to survive in the wild.
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