If you see an owl in distress, it’s most likely having a really bad day. These birds are some of the most resilient creatures on the planet. Their high-operating-temperament and ability to adapt to almost any situation makes them excellent survivors. But they can be upset by many things that are out of their control, like natural disasters, prey loss or human disturbance, just to name a few examples.
Stress is one of the main triggers that causes these birds to feel unhappy. To understand if your owl is stressed and how you can help soothe them, let’s take a look at what stress looks like in an owl and how you can tell if they’re hurting from the inside out.
What Do Owls Do When Stressed?
If you see an owl looking distressed, it might be acting a little different than usual. Sometimes owls that are stressed will change their vocalizations or act more aggressive. They may also fly off in a huff if they feel threatened.
An owl in distress might also display these following behavioral changes:
-less activity
-more cuddling and less flight
-more vocalizations
-more aggressive movements (such as snapping or hissing)
-a change in diet–they might eat more insects
-less playfulness with other birds, especially their mate
What Does It Mean When an Owl Is Screeching?
When an owl is about to die, it will screech until the end. This is their way of calling for help, as a warning to other owls in the area, and a way to alert others to let them know that they are stressed. If you’ve ever seen this happen in nature, you know how devastating it can be for these birds.
If your owl is a captive-bred animal, you should take extra care of them. It sounds like your owl is screaming because he or she has been mistreated and needs help. But if your owl was raised in captivity and hasn’t been mistreated and doesn’t have any health problems, there may be something wrong with your bird’s diet or living space (like too much sun exposure).
Another possibility is that your owl has become familiar with humans or even domesticated cats. They may be stressed because they feel threatened by the presence of these animals or feel out of place when they’re around people. When an owl becomes accustomed to human contact, they may stop eating food or becoming aggressive when trying to escape predators outside of the cage.
The last option is that your owl could simply not feel well. They might be sick or injured and need assistance from you as soon as possible so that the issue can get fixed before it gets worse.
How Do You Make an Owl More Calm?
If you notice that your owl is pacing around and trying to hide away from you, their feathers are ruffled, they’re not flying as much, or they start to be aggressive, then it’s time for a break. When an owl gets stressed out, if it’s real stress or just minor frustration from a situation that doesn’t need to be stressful, that can cause the bird to become lethargic and depressed. You can help them by letting them relax in the safest place possible- their habitat. If your owl is having a hard time communicating with you because of the stressors going on in their life and you want to be able to help them better, give them something familiar like their favorite food treats or soft bedding for a little downtime. If your owl has been having a particularly stressful day, some physical contact like stroking their wings is also very important.
What Do Owls Get Scared Of?
Owls are most likely to experience stress when they’re feeling threatened. If you see your owl act like it is scared of you or if you hear them fly away, then it might be time to find a new place for your bird to live.
This is because owls typically don’t react well to human contact and can become very aggressive in response.
Owls also experience stress when they lose their habitat. If your pet owl has lost its home, they need plenty of attention and socialization around humans who will help them feel safe again.
