It was a big week for our baby Great Horned Owls! 🦉🦉🦉 Several of the young owls in our care took their first flights this week as they graduated from the nursery to our outdoor enclosures. These videos show the very first time these owls have stretched their wings and taken to the air—a huge milestone on their journey back to the wild. From here, they’ll build flight muscles, learn to maneuver, and begin practicing the hunting skills they’ll need to survive on their own. Great Horned Owls have one of the longest post-fledging dependency periods of any North American raptor. While most raptor species—like Red-tailed Hawks or American Kestrels—are fully independent within 6 to 10 weeks of leaving the nest, young Great Horned Owls may remain near their natal territory for up to 4–5 months, sometimes longer. During this time, parents continue to provide food and vocal guidance while the fledglings practice flying, hunting, and navigating their environment. It’s not uncommon for juvenile Great Horned Owls to linger near their parents’ territory for nearly a year, especially if resources are plentiful. Stay tuned as these owls continue their wild journey! 🦉🦉🦉 #GreatHornedOwl #RaptorRehab #FirstFlight #WildlifeRehabilitation #OjaiRaptorCenter (fb)

🦉 Owls, Owls, Everywhere! 🦉 It’s baby season for wildlife, and the calls just keep coming! From barns to backyards—and now libraries—young raptors are popping up all over California as they begin to explore the world around them. This little Great Horned Owl fledgling (called a brancher) was found perched on top of a bookcase inside a library in Palmdale. Yes, you read that right—a library! We’re not quite sure how they made their way in, but the kind-hearted library staff gave us a call for help. While we coordinated transport, our friends at Palm Plaza Pet Hospital kindly stepped in to provide initial care. Once the owl arrived at our center, our veterinarian, Dr. Kat, gave it a full exam. Thankfully, the young owl was in good health—but was underweight, possibly from being separated from his parents for an unknown reason, which may explain why it took refuge somewhere quiet and safe... like the library. Not all baby raptors found alone are in distress—many are simply learning to fly and explore. We carefully assess each situation using photos and videos to help determine whether they need rescue, relocation, or just to be left alone. Thanks to the observant library staff, our veterinary partners, and our community of wildlife lovers like you, this curious little owl now has a second chance at life in the wild. Baby season is our busiest time of year! So far, we’ve admitted over 200 baby raptors, and the calls keep pouring in. We've responded to more than 500 inquiries from concerned members of the public about orphaned or injured young birds. And that’s not even counting the adult raptors we care for year-round. We can’t do this without you. Your support makes it possible for us to care for these vulnerable young patients. Please consider contributing to our Born to Be Wild Baby Campaign, signing up to volunteer, or simply sharing our posts to spread the word. Every action helps. Together, we can give these creatures a second chance at living the wild lives they deserve. https://ojairaptorcenter.networkforgood.com/projects/248375-2025-baby-campaign #OjaiRaptorCenter #BabySeason #GreatHornedOwl #RaptorRescue #LibraryOwl #WildlifeRehabillitation #BrancherSeason #BorntobeWild (fb)