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(Bubo virginianus). Patient Number 25-212.
Date of admission: May 19, 2025.
Reason for admission: Orphaned.
Patient History:
In 1977, the children of Alberta were asked to vote for a provincial bird. The children selected the great horned owl to be Alberta’s provincial bird, a title the species retains to this day. Great horned owls are one of Alberta’s most recognizable birds, easily identified by their 'horns' (actually just tufts of feathers). Great horned owls are commonly found across the province, but wooded areas and river valleys are their preferred habitats. They are permanent residents of Alberta and are well-adapted to the cold temperatures of the winter months.
Like most owls, great horned owls are most active at night. Their excellent eyesight and hearing make them formidable predators during the evening and overnight hours. These owls prey on several species of birds and rodents, but will also prey on hares. Great horned owls pair for life, with both owls caring for the young (owlets). Two or three eggs are laid each year at the end of February, or in early March.
Owlets arrive at AIWC for a variety of reasons—most often because they’ve fallen from their nest and cannot be safely returned. In some cases, re-nesting is possible. If the original nest is intact, we may be able to return the owlet directly and reinforce the structure to prevent further falls. When the original nest can’t be located, or if the parents have left the area, fostering the owlet into a new family with chicks of a similar age is another option.
This year, AIWC has successfully re-nested two owlets. However, our current intake is classified as a “brancher”—an older owlet at the developmental stage where they begin exploring outside the nest. Unfortunately, no parents have been observed nearby to provide the necessary care, feeding, and guidance during this phase, so re-nesting is not an option. He will remain until he is older, flighted, and ready to return to the wild on his own.