Bert

Hatch Date: Spring 2020
Gender: Male
Reason for Captivity: Fractures in left wing, likely due to a collision.
Weight: ~0.18 lbs.
Joined TRC Team: December 2020

This Northern Saw-whet Owl came to Teton Raptor Center’s rehabilitation clinic in the spring of 2020. He was found on someone’s porch in nearby Rexburg, Idaho. He was examined by our team and it was discovered that he had an old injury in his left wing. The injury was most likely sustained due to a collision: we suspect from a window. His injuries were old enough that they had already healed, so he was not a candidate for surgery. He is unable to fly like a wild bird, but can do distances of about 6 feet.

Bert the owl is named in tribute of Bert Raynes, who was a dear friend of TRC as well as a prominent birder and naturalist in Jackson Hole. Bert Raynes passed away the morning of January 1st 2021, and supporters from near and far encouraged TRC to bestow the name ‘Bert’ on this little cavity-nesting creature.

Photo credit: Cecil Holmes