The Homecoming Owl

From South Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke

How handsome is this Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio)?

This is Patient EASO #2024-1711, aka the "Homecoming EASO!"

While we don't actually name our patients out of respect for their wildness, some unique cases get nicknames related to an interesting origin story, personality trait, or condition they're dealing with. This is especially true with common-intaken species, So it helps to have a quick and easy identifier for staff to go by when discussing patients.

A few examples we've had this year have been "Crop Hawk" "Cassini, "Weird Goose" "Mama Possum, "Big Chonker Snake, "Teeny Turt, "Big Hoss BOXTU," "Balloon Robin," among many others.

Why is this guy the Homecoming EASO? Well, he was found on Homecoming night, of course!

This little Screech Owl was found grounded in the middle of the road by a group of high school students who were celebrating their Homecoming dance! They were still dressed up in their dance attire when they spotted the owl and pulled over. One of the students hopped out while still in her glittering homecoming dress and heels, contained the owl, and brought him home for safekeeping until they could bring it to us the next morning!

Luckily for this little raptor, he sustained only some eye abrasions and a little head trauma, likely from being struck by a vehicle right before being found. He's recovering well, and is now conditioning for release!

We're proud of the students who stopped to help this beautiful bird, and we're hoping that the Homecoming EASO's story continues to go well!