From Wild Care Oklahoma
These owls are currently in one of our outdoor flight enclosures, the final stop before release. Even out here, our veterinary team continues medical checks when needed. To safely examine them, we use a large net, raptor gloves, and a lot of care. It's always a bit stressful for the owls, but these checks are essential to make sure they're healing well.
Right after their exams, you'll notice two things: very large pupils, called mydriasis, and gular fluttering, which looks like rapid throat movement. Both are normal responses to heat and stress from being briefly handled. Once we leave, they settle down and return to their usual owl selves.
During the summer, we always perform these checks early in the morning to avoid additional heat stress. Reducing stress is one of our top priorities although these wild patients understandably see humans as a threat, even when we're helping them heal.
I did a super important presentation earlier today, I feel like I understand what they felt lol
I hope it went well!
Yes it did! Quite happy with how everything went, will probably try to do the same again next year