Can you own a snowy owl

A wild Snowy Owl is a Schedule 1 species so is as legally protected as any bird species can get. It is lawful, however, subject to certain conditions to keep a captive bred Snowy Owl as a pet. It is illegal to keep any bird excluding poultry in a cage or other receptacle which is not of sufficient size to permit the bird to stretch its wings freely in all directions. Exceptions to this are if the bird is undergoing veterinary treatment, is in the course of conveyance or is being exhibited: in the latter case the time the bird is so confined should not exceed an aggregate of 72 hours.

Every day a little more irate about bird of prey persecution, and I have a cat - Got a problem with that? In reply to John B not the sloop :. Would this still be relevant with birds that are captive bred? I would think not but would the owner have to prove it was captive bred? In reply to Seaman :. Wendy S said: Would this still be relevant with birds that are captive bred? Yes the owner would have to prove it was captive bred.

Click Here to see my photos. In reply to Woodpecker :. I'd agree with that surely the birds deserve room to move quite a bit if they have to be kept as "pets" at all. I put bird of prey centres in a different class the birds seem to have loads of room and regular exercise. Find out more about the partnership. However, this is not really that uncommon given the popularity of snakes and carnivorous lizards that also require frozen-thawed rodents.

Due to the reptile trade, there are endless places to obtain frozen rodents, chicks, rabbits, and even pigs, to feed an owl in bulk.

You may need to purchase a separate freezer to accommodate it all. Owls produce owl pellets which are regurgitated fur and bones that they will leave all over the enclosure. Owls also defecate a lot and this, plus the pellets, obviously must be regularly cleaned.

Their feces are said to be particularly runny and smelly. Eurasian eagle-owls have a wingspan of up to six feet , so this can provide some reference as to how large their mew and weathering yard should be for them to be comfortable.

Some experts recommend having a pen that is a minimum of 20 feet. In addition, they can weigh four to eight pounds and take on large prey such as foxes and young roe deer in the wild. If you are really interested in getting a Eurasian eagle-owl or any other higher-maintenance pet, conduct more thorough research and consult with other owners with experience in owl husbandry as well as zoos and sanctuaries.

As one of the largest owls in the world, and perhaps the largest, precaution is obviously needed when interacting with this massive bird. Eurasian eagle-owls in comparison to other birds of prey are not very social with handlers. This is why experience with training other raptors may be necessary to handle them.

People who are interested in this species—or other owls—might want to consider practicing falconry techniques such as teaching them to fly freely and returning to their owner. This would allow the animal to receive sufficient exercise and be a better companion animal, which benefits the owner too.

An explanation of falconry and recall training exceeds the scope of this article, but it involves motivating the bird to return for food by keeping it at an appropriate weight.

In fact, weighing owls constantly is extremely important for their long-term health. This will ensure they are being fed enough while being exercised. Dirk van Wolferen. These birds are regularly listed on websites where falconers advertise birds.

Raptors For Sale is a site that I trust. If a site is trying to sell native owls in the United States, that should be a red flag since those raptors are illegal to own unless you have the proper permits and licenses. Eurasian eagle-owls can live around 20 years in the wild but up to 50 years in captivity. Do you want to possess a large bird of prey and stock up on frozen small animals for potentially half a century? This includes getting someone to care for your bird if you go away and securing a veterinarian willing to see them if needed.

This is an important factor to consider. Other owls have long lifespans as well. Many people, unfortunately, get a pet owl only to realize a few years later that it's not a good fit.

It's important to note that finding an alternative home for them can be very challenging. Releasing them into the wild is basically a death sentence. Territorial and native habitat requirements are species-specific, and natural foraging tendencies may have been faded due to habituation and domestication—leading to displacement, starvation, potential disease including introduction , the distribution of native wildlife, and death. In the U. And it could be difficult to find a bird sanctuary willing to take your pet since many are at capacity.

Many sellers prefer to sell to owners who have some experience with birds of prey. In general, it is a good idea to become familiar with them before seriously considering purchasing one because there might be aspects of their care that you will deem to be too much to handle.

Particularly with Eurasian eagle-owls, they are large birds that could cause harm with their beak and talons, and they require a dedicated owner to commit to their welfare in captivity. Understanding and learning how to train them is important, however many people have a natural affinity for animal training techniques and can be self-taught as long as they are willing to continue learning from experienced people.

Since , a state falconry permit is the only thing required to be in compliance with federal regulations —you no longer need a federal permit as well. The first thing you'll want to do is check with your state's licensing office to see what is required in order to obtain a permit.

It's important to note that falconry is prohibited in Hawaii. Also, the minimum age for having a permit is 12 years old, but some states require you to be older. The state will send you a list of materials that includes information on caring for these raptors.

You'll want to seriously consider if you're ready to put in the work. It would also be a good idea to reach out to a local or state falconry organization, if possible.

They may be able to also send you some in-depth literature on regulations and other pertinent information. Every new falconer needs to have a sponsor for at least the first two years. New falconers are called apprentices and serve under either a general or master class falconer. Some potential sponsors will require you to hunt with them for a year before agreeing to be your sponsor. You may also be required to take a hunting safety course.

The exam consists of questions designed to test your knowledge of birds of prey, raptor biology, health care of the birds, laws, and more. Your sponsor will oversee the construction of your facilities to house your raptor since there are strict legal requirements. These facilities will be inspected by someone from your state wildlife agency.

This person will also inspect all of your equipment. If you're not ready to make the commitment of owning an owl, there are other ways you can show your love for these raptors. There are nonprofits around the world that let people symbolically adopt an owl.

There's even one in the United Kingdom, The Owls Trust , that will give you free entry to meet your owl. While this mainly consists of donating money to help pay for the care of the owls, it's a great way to support an animal you love. If you're lucky enough to live near an owl sanctuary, like Owl's Nest in Tampa Bay , Florida, you can look into volunteer opportunities.

Do a Google search to see if there are any sanctuaries nearby. If you want to hang out with owls and other animals while educating others about these wonderful creatures, look into volunteering as a docent.

Docents are volunteers who dedicate their time to help develop and produce materials and either visit classrooms or lead tours at a museum or zoo to teach people about various birds and animals. Look into any local museums, zoos, and sanctuaries to inquire about opportunities. If you're unable to find opportunities like the ones suggested above, you could get a realistic plush owl—like those made by Hansa. Answer: For a falconry license, the age varies by state. It is usually between years old.

Non-native owls Eurasian eagle owls do not require permits in states where they are legal. Question: I found an injured Barred owl and know of our local orginizations or Fish and Wild life. I'm in Kentucky, what do I do? Answer: Owls are expensive and their upkeep is also expensive. They are not good pets if you are looking to save money.

Lower-priced animals might be older and harder to manage. This was very informative, though i didn't come here because i wanted an owl. I actually had a dream where i found an owl and curiosity sent me to looking.

Flying Free: What are you talking about? Many older people keep exotic pets, in fact it's mostly naive millennials giving us crap about it. These aren't pets, they're being held hostage. Selfish and thoughtless.

Um hi, I have some question. I've wanted one for ages. Questions: Do you need license to own any owl; Are non-native owls really legal to own. UK Falconry Center: Escapes, abuse, euthanasia Calling for 'stricter' laws presumably you mean bans because of this is not the answer. Raptor Educator: The main thing that isn't making sense here is that if you think no one will be able to obtain an owl without hunting or education aspirations then there is no reason for you and the alleged other falconers posting to be here.

That alone makes me believe your claims are disingenuous and I just don't see the point. I'm still committed to providing truthful information on this topic and will work with anyone who can assist but first they must not attempt to deceive me for their own agendas. It's true that some animals do not belong in captivity but then I want to know why it is OK for falconers and educators, especially the latter. People tell me I shouldn't keep exotic pets ALL the time, why should I see your complaints as any different?

I own solitary predators. It sounds to me that either raptors are like other exotic pets or they are so high-maintenance I question if falconers or 'educators' should be able to own them outside of professional oversight. Which is it? Yes, I get upset that falconers feel only hunters should be able to own these birds. Either these birds are suited for captivity or they aren't. I think I should have just as much of a right to own something as you would to hunt, even if that means I'd have to undergo training and paperwork, this process should NOT be restricted to people who hunt for pleasure.

It sounds like if these birds do so badly in captivity maybe hunters should leave them alone too, and use dogs, ferrets, guns, or go to the damn grocery store. Please, please, please.. I have seen so many escapees and abuse cases, I really wish there was a way to stop how easily available these birds are. The Harry Potter craze left so many abandoned owls to die. When they can find them, the owls will even take fish, amphibians, crustaceans, and insects.

Snowy Owls have several effective hunting strategies. Usually they perch on posts, rocks or on the ground, silently watching for their next meal. They can spend a good part of their day sitting and waiting. Or, they may fly low over the ground in search of something to eat. When they spot something appetizing moving along the ground, they swoop down onto their prey. When hunting birds they take their quarry directly in the air or, when hunting fish, they will snatch them up from the surface of the water.

They have even been known to snatch prey while walking on the ground. He does so in a number of ways: first, when a female is around, the male will show off his aerobatic skills by flying in a low, rippling, up and down flight pattern. Finally, the males try to impress the females with their hunting skills — capturing prey and bringing it to the female that catches their eye. After a male and female form a pair, it is time to start getting their nest ready.

These large owls tend to nest almost exclusively on the ground. Nest spots are usually chosen because they are slightly elevated, which helps gives the owls a good vantage point from which to watch for predators. Snowy Owls are very protective of their nests and young and will often scare away any threatening animals that come too close, including gulls, foxes and even wolves. Some other species of birds will nest next to Snowy Owls to take advantage of their skills at chasing away predators!

Once the nest is ready, it is time for the female to lay her eggs. The number of eggs she lays and the number of chicks that survive depends on how much food is available before and during breeding season.

In good years, owls may lay many eggs, and in bad years they may not lay any at all. Generally, females can lay between 1 and 9 or more eggs in a single clutch. Now, that is a lot of eggs! After the eggs are laid, the female will spend days sitting on them to keep them warm. At this time, it is the male's job to bring back food for himself and the female. Once the chicks hatch, the male will have many, many mouths to feed. The female usually lays each egg about days apart. She starts incubation when the first egg is laid, which means that that embryo starts to develop right away.

As a result, the young owlets all hatch at different times, so siblings can range greatly in age and size. Snowy Owls nest on the ground, so it is much easier for the young to leave the nest because they don't have to fly to do so. They usually start leaving the nest at weeks, but do not master the art of flying until they are about 8 weeks old. The parents will care for their young for about 4 months until the young owls are able to hunt and survive on their own.

After two years, these young will be old enough to find a mate, settle down and raise young on their own. Snowy Owls are not often seen in Idaho, except in winter, and usually in the northern portion of the state.

However, in the winter of , at least two Snowy Owls were observed close to Boise. They spent several weeks hanging out in an open farm field and were a big hit, attracting many birders and wildlife enthusiasts hoping to catch a glimpse of these birds.

This is a great chance to see owls up close and learn about the wonderful and interesting adaptations that enable them to survive in their respective habitats. There is also a touch table with owl feathers and other natural objects available for exploration.