From The Ateneo Wild
Last Wednesday, we received a report from our landscape maintenance staff about a juvenile Philippine Scops Owl (Otus megalotis) that fell to the ground at the JSA barracks in the JGSOM Forest. Who can resist those eyes? Its mostly downy feathers indicate that this owl is only a few weeks old and its wings already have flight feathers which means it can already fly. This owl is endemic to the Philippines and is locally called Botbot-kuwaw. They live in densely vegetated areas - which is why its important that we leave some areas on campus to grow wild. According to Albert Lee, the roosting owl had an encounter with a crow which caused it to fall to the ground which caught the attention of some cats! Fortunately, they were around to keep it safe.
We helped Kuya Albert place the owl in a crate to help it recover and keep it secure until nightfall. They kept it in a dark, cool and quiet place until we came back later at sunset to help them release it. We waited for dark. placed the crate on the barracks roof, and together with Kuya Gerald and Kuya Jordan, kept watch until it was able to fly back up into the trees - a happy ending! We could hear another young owl calling in the area, likely a sibling, and an indication that the watchful parents were also still around. If you ever see a young, uninjured owl on the ground, do not transfer it to another location! Its best hope is for it to be reunited with its parents who will continue caring for it.
Thank you, Kuya Albert, Kuya Gerald, Kuya Jordan, and the JSA personnel for the care you showed for this owl. Thank you also John Dhey and Sir Red Cas for the additional photos.
