My husband found this juvenile (?) owl in the road Tuesday night. I asleep already when he came home, but woke up hearing him say sorry and he had a surprise. I was kind of half awake, then I heard him say "I love you baby... I love you baby" Oh, I thought, how sweet. Then. I realized he was in the other room! What? I got up to see what was going on and here was my 'surprise' — a young Asian barred owlet.
He must have been stunned by a car or motorbike, because he was in the road when Seyha found him, unable to fly far and falling over on his side. For a couple days he was like that, just flopped over or laying on the side that wasn't hurt. We talked with friends on campus who are bird watchers / have bird experience, and the recommended different places and people. Most of the 3 days was spent waiting and praying as to what we should do. But then there was the issue of feeding him!
We also learned that he was determined to escape (I don't blame him) and would fly / flop into the balcony window in the morning around dawn (when I get up). After the first night we had to put a box over his basket to keep him from continuing to injure himself.
Look at this pissed off little bird! Oh, if looks could kill! Sorry little bird, we want to make sure you'll be ok!
We fed him chicken chopped up small, and sometimes some water from a soaked Q-tip. We really learned alot about how God cares for us... and how sometimes you have to give someone what they need, rather than what you 'think' they need. On the 2nd day, we also gave him a little gecko/lizard I found that was stunned/stepped on. He at it in a big gulp, gulp, gulp!
The pictures below are from tonight. After Sabbath sundown, we went to the market and got some dinner and also some chicken meat again. We were praying because we found out Friday his bone wasn't broken, and they gave him a pain killer injection to help him be able to stretch it out more. Those vets weren't owl specialists, but we were relieved he'd be able to get back home soon! So, when we got home with our groceries and baggie of chicken, we fed him some, and checked out his leg. After some more chicken, we tried perching him on the basket, which he did fairly well, only a little wobbly.
But then — he flew around the room! And did quite well landing on some furniture. My husband and I talked and believed he'd be ok to let go. We said a little prayer for him and took him on the short bike ride to the trees Seyha had found him by.
It was so dark, and neither of us thought to bring a flashlight. I kept trying to do the pre-flash trigger on the camera, but took several ground/ tree shots. I know it was a little emotional for my husband... he really did a lot of asking and driving around for this little bird. He'd even get up in the middle of the night to check and see if he was still hungry or thirsty. But we're both happy he can go back to his family and be free, just how God meant him to be.
By little owl! We love you! God cares for you and so do we!
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Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care." (Matthew 10:29) I think this counts for owls too... and even all the birds that have been falling from the sky. And the dying fish too!
But, I also believe those animals dying in vast numbers is part of Bible prophecy — not that God wants to kill His creation, but I believe they're tired of living in this world of suffering and sin. I believe Jesus is coming back soon! Are you ready?
"for the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery… Therefore shall the land mourn…the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away." (Hosea 4:1-3)
"And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died…" (Revelation 8:9)May God transform the heart and mind of every willing, humble heart. May He prepare us to meet Him soon! :)