Wildlife Rescue League 2019

For Wildlife Rescue League’s third annual T-shirt fundraiser, the focus is on a majestic raptor, the owl. These intriguing birds are a perfect Halloween symbol. This is a time of the year when owls are noticeably active as they are establishing their winter territories. Everyone knows that owls “hoot.” They also “hiss,” “bark,” “screech,” “whistle,” “whinny,” and “scream.” They are nocturnal by nature but some are diurnal and active both night and day — when there is still some daylight left or shortly before daybreak. Fun facts about owls: Many owl species have asymmetrical ears and are able to pinpoint the location of sounds in multiple dimensions. Their eyes are tube-shaped and completely immobile, providing binocular vision. Owls can rotate their necks 270 degrees. A group of owls is called a parliament. The tiniest owl in the world, Elf Owl, is only 5 inches tall. The largest North American owl, the Great Gray Owl, is up to 32 inches tall. Barn Owls can eat up to 1,000 mice per year.
The most dangerous threats to owls include: poisons used to kill rodents that remain in their bodies and and herbicides that infect mice and rats that eat grain; collisions with cars and fences, habitat loss and poaching.