Owl still recovering from hitting car window

By: Melissa Hudson

Posted: Nov 12, 2015 2:56 PM EDT

David Custer

Midland, MI -- he owl that flew in to a car window in Midland on Halloween is still recovering at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Association in Shepherd.

"He's being kept in indoor housing as he is not quite ready to be outside. However, as you can see from the video, he is alert and inquisitive," said Barb Rogers, with Wildlife Rehabilitation Association.

Rogers said the owl is a barred owl and needs a forest to live in. She said barred owls need large, old hollow trees in which to place their nest.

If they cannot find a large, old hollow tree, they attempt to nest where three branches come together. It's possible to build nest boxes for them, but it does require a very large nest box that's about 2 feet or more wide and deep, and 3 feet high.

Rogers said the rehabilitation center is not open to the public.

"The birds that are recovering need to be in a quiet, secluded place in order to heal. It is also important to keep them away from people so that they do not become habituated to people," Rogers said.

However, if people want to see a live barred owl, Rogers has presentations coming in which Wilma, one of the ambassador barred owls, will be present.

Wilma is non-releasable due to a wing injury that could not be repaired. She is one of the many hawks, owls and falcons the association presents to the public.

Rogers said they have a program Nov. 11 at 5 p.m. at Mid-Michigan Community College's Mt. Pleasant campus.

The birds will also be present at the Butman-Fish Library in Saginaw on Jan. 16 and at the Chippewa Nature Center in Midland on Jan. 24.

The programs discuss the natural history of the birds and the problems they face, as well as how to help them.

WNEM