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Albino Eastern Screech Owl

Megascops asio

Photo by AshleyT
Published on Project Noah
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37.6922, -97.3375

Field Notes

Description:

Potentially the cutest thing I have ever seen. Tiny and all white, you can even see the red eyes.

Habitat:

He was rescued from a cat that had him pinned down in a driveway. He was brought to the Great Plains Nature Center, where they rehabbed him. Albino animals generally do not live long in the wild, so they keep him in a large tank with a normal Eastern Screech Owl and have him on display to teach kids about mutations.

Reference Links:

Eastern Screech-Owl, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornitholo…

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (24)
remco.douma
Indeed not a helpful mutation unless living in a snowy environment, but it sure is cute!
AshleyT
Thanks guys! I know Gilma, at least he was saved and can be used for education now though. I still think it's awesome mutations like this occur naturally in the wild, even though the animals usually don't live long. Shanna, so do I! I had to stare at him every time I would walk by, he was just so stinking cute!
ShannaB
O.M.G. I just want to squeal and cuddle it!
Jellis
Nice. though I don't care much for captive animals on this site, this is just too special
Seema
so unusual..grt sharing
AshleyT
Thanks guys, he was pretty cool!
RiekoS
That is so beautiful!
EmilyMarino
I understand you position completely Ashley and wasn't at all disrespecting the Nature Center's decision or your spotting - just simply questioning... Although some research has shown wild albino and luecistic animals have a higher mortality rate and/or a shorter life span, there are also many individuals worldwide that can and have lived a normal life span and thrive. That is why I was questioning. I'm just stirring the pot and creating a dialog! I obviously don't know this animal or the circumstances behind the decision. ;)
AshleyT
As far as I could tell he is healthy. Wild albino animals have been studied before, and it seems to be the consensus they don't do survive long because they stick out like a sore thumb to predators. Which is exactly what happened to this guy, he was taken from a cats claws. I personally hate taking wild animals from the wild and into captivity, but I think in this case he is better off in captivity and to be used for education. No matter what I think though, it's not my decision what happens to him, I was just visiting the nature center for a herpetological meeting.
EmilyMarino
Is there anything wrong with him now? It's a shame he has to stay in captivity if he is a healthy bird that can be added to the breeding population.
Sanjukta Dey
What a beauty! Thanks for your visit and comment, much appreciated.
AshleyT
He's already in there, Christy ;)
ChristyHolland
Wow!! That white makes his eyes look so intense!! He's gorgeous! Although captive, he still can go in the Raptor mission! ;-)

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Captive Animals
Mission
Raptors of North America
Photographed
PublishedNovember 4, 2013

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