Species: Northern saw-whet owl (Aegolius acadicus)
Intake Date: December 5, 2006
Noel, our resident Northern Saw-Whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus), was a wonderful member of our ambassador program for nearly 10 years. She was found in Alvin, IL, and brought to the Wildlife Medical Clinic on December 5, 2006, with no function, or feeling, in her left wing. No fractures were seen on X-rays, and it was later determined that an injury had caused irreversible nerve damage to the wing. Due to this injury, Noel could no longer fly, and, therefore, could no longer survive in the wild. Fortunately, the clinic was able to obtain permission for Noel to join our Ambassador Raptor Program. She was unique in being our only ambassador that came into the clinic as an adult as opposed to a juvenile, and, due to that, we are unsure as to exactly how old she was. She had a surprisingly mild disposition for an adult owl, and this disposition was ideal for behavioral training and use in educational presentations. To our great sadness, Noel passed away on September 29, 2016 from natural causes. She was extremely old for her species, and was found peacefully at rest. She will be incredibly missed.
Fun Facts
Saw-whet owls are one of the smallest owls native to North America (the smallest in Illinois), generally weighing less than five ounces. Few people ever see a Saw-Whet Owl in the wild, due to both their small size and being strictly nocturnal. As with all owl species, a Saw-Whet’s eyes are too large to move in their sockets; their anatomy makes up for this by allowing them to swivel their head ~270 degrees, so that they can still see in all directions.