From Ohio Bird Sanctuary
Remember this Screech Owl that had an unfortunate run-in with a chain saw? Today it underwent an imping procedure whereby donor feathers were used to replace missing and damaged ones. Our Bird Care staff do this delicate and specialized procedure right on-site in our Avian Hospital. Thankfully, the little owl patient is recovering well so far!
Here you can see the bird under anesthesia as well as the donor wing.
Imping pins are selected to fit inside both the donor feather and to create the bridge into the living animal’s feather. Adhesive is applied to secure everything!
Matching-up the feathers and getting the correct length
Get well soon, little one, I hope you get to fly high again.
It looks to be in wonderful hands!
Do the new/repaired feathers 'grow out ’ and new ones grow in? Or is this it now, and if so how long does the repairs last etc?
They will fall out when he molts next. It will be like a normal molt for him. :)
Yup, as long as the follicles the feathers grow from are not damaged, these should last until they are dropped naturally.
If they didn’t do this, it wouldn’t be able to fly (or at least well enough to be on its own) until new ones came in, which would be up to a year or so.
Amazing. Love to the Screechie.
I am glad the tree people got it to the hospitowl.
*golf clap*
R.i.p to the bird that gave up the “donor” wing 😥
Donors of every variety are crucial. Specimens from departed owls have inspired people like myself to keep learning about these amazing animals and get involved hands-on with their care, and there are practical applications like the feather replacement done here.
It’s sad when animals pass, but at least this way it’s not a total loss, and this owl’s life will be all the better for it.
Wow! (He looks so disgruntled in the first pic, though. 😂)
Poor little one lost his house, transportation, and got woken up from his nap all at once!
Thankfully its floof saved it from more than that 😮
What a way to be woken up!
