Can you own an owl as a pet

They prefer to have something a little wilder, a little more exotic. Something like an owl, a hawk, or even an eagle.

As unusual as this may be, some individuals are obsessed with these types of wild birds. The question becomes whether or not it is legal to keep them as pets. The laws governing pet ownership vary from state to state.

In states like Alabama, Delaware, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, and Tennessee, for instance, keeping an owl is perfectly legal. So, if you tried to, you could potentially face some serious legal consequences.

Provided you meet certain state requirements, you can keep an owl as a pet. In Idaho, for instance, as long as you can prove that your pet owl will not be a threat to agriculture, livestock, and the environment, you can apply for a permit to keep the bird as a pet. In Vermont, you can only get an owl for exhibitory or educational purposes. It is. Now, consider that owls have a 10 to year lifespan.

Do you and your household intend to feed an owl this way several times a day? Owls sleep during the day and are active at night. If you get a male and female owl, the sound of their mating may even be louder. Specialized veterinarians can cost way more than your regular veterinarian visit.

Just because you can keep an owl in your area does not mean you should. Owls are mysterious and majestic animals that require trained professionals, live prey, and a large place to stay and fly in. December 4, Admin. State Laws The laws of pet ownership vary according to state. Alaska — No, you cannot have an owl. Arkansas — As long as you can prove you legally acquired an owl, you can keep it. California — No, you cannot have an owl. Colorado — No, you cannot keep an owl. Connecticut — Nope.

Delaware — Yes, you can have an owl. Florida — You need a permit to own an owl. Hawaii — Nuh-uh. Skip to content. Nicole Cosgrove. Aug 26 They Have a Simple Diet 2. Satisfies the Desire for Adventure 3. They Are Solitary 4. They Are Sedentary 5.

They Are Fascinating 6. Owls are Messy 2. Need Constant Care 3. Owls are Nocturnal 4. They Need Space 5. They Can Be Destructive 6. Limited Vets 7. Have Specialized Diets Summary Related. Related Posts. November 7th, What Do Sloths Eat? All You Need to Know! The idea of keeping an owl as a pet must have come from the absurdly popular Harry Potter series. Many have grown up fantasizing about having their very own Hedwig a snowy owl in the story.

We all know that large parrots are owned as pets across the nation, so what about raptors? Can you keep an owl as a pet, and if so, how do you care for one? In the United States, you cannot own a snowy owl—or any other native owl—as a pet.

They are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Many websites state that it is illegal to own an owl as a pet, but they are only partially correct.

People can own various owls in the UK, but in the United States, you cannot own a snowy owl—or any other native owl—as a pet.

Under the same law, you cannot even possess one of their feathers without a permit from the U. S Fish and Wildlife Service. Permits for native raptor possession are issued only for educational purposes and for falconers. The process of becoming a legal falconer is exceptionally complex and requires training, so this is certainly not casual pet ownership.

In the United States, the most commonly available exotic owl species that requires no permits is the Eurasian eagle owl—one of the largest owls in the world. The speckled owl is another species but is rarer. For people who are used to keeping parrots, perhaps expecting that they could keep an owl especially a Eurasian eagle-owl in a large macaw cage in their house, they should be turned off to the idea of keeping these animals when they learn about their requirements in captivity.

Relative to their already large size, they need an extremely large outdoor enclosure for adequate welfare or indoors, if you really do have that kind of space to dedicate. On the flip side, one benefit of owning an owl is the ability to satisfy your desire to own something unique and interesting. In addition, learning about a different species by caring for it and being able to get close to it on a daily basis is an experience that most people won't have in their lives.

Here's an example of what owl pellets look like. Strangely enough, many websites describe how extremely unpleasant it is to maintain an owl as a pet because you have to feed it numerous carcasses. Yes, owls are purely carnivorous and their owners must stock up on dead rodents and thaw them every day. However, this is not really that uncommon given the popularity of snakes and carnivorous lizards that also require frozen-thawed rodents.

Due to the reptile trade, there are endless places to obtain frozen rodents, chicks, rabbits, and even pigs, to feed an owl in bulk. You may need to purchase a separate freezer to accommodate it all. Owls produce owl pellets which are regurgitated fur and bones that they will leave all over the enclosure. Owls also defecate a lot and this, plus the pellets, obviously must be regularly cleaned.

Their feces are said to be particularly runny and smelly. Eurasian eagle-owls have a wingspan of up to six feet , so this can provide some reference as to how large their mew and weathering yard should be for them to be comfortable. Some experts recommend having a pen that is a minimum of 20 feet. In addition, they can weigh four to eight pounds and take on large prey such as foxes and young roe deer in the wild. If you are really interested in getting a Eurasian eagle-owl or any other higher-maintenance pet, conduct more thorough research and consult with other owners with experience in owl husbandry as well as zoos and sanctuaries.

As one of the largest owls in the world, and perhaps the largest, precaution is obviously needed when interacting with this massive bird. Eurasian eagle-owls in comparison to other birds of prey are not very social with handlers.

This is why experience with training other raptors may be necessary to handle them. People who are interested in this species—or other owls—might want to consider practicing falconry techniques such as teaching them to fly freely and returning to their owner. This would allow the animal to receive sufficient exercise and be a better companion animal, which benefits the owner too. An explanation of falconry and recall training exceeds the scope of this article, but it involves motivating the bird to return for food by keeping it at an appropriate weight.

In fact, weighing owls constantly is extremely important for their long-term health. This will ensure they are being fed enough while being exercised. Dirk van Wolferen. These birds are regularly listed on websites where falconers advertise birds. Raptors For Sale is a site that I trust. If a site is trying to sell native owls in the United States, that should be a red flag since those raptors are illegal to own unless you have the proper permits and licenses.

Eurasian eagle-owls can live around 20 years in the wild but up to 50 years in captivity. Do you want to possess a large bird of prey and stock up on frozen small animals for potentially half a century? This includes getting someone to care for your bird if you go away and securing a veterinarian willing to see them if needed. This is an important factor to consider.

Other owls have long lifespans as well. Many people, unfortunately, get a pet owl only to realize a few years later that it's not a good fit.

It's important to note that finding an alternative home for them can be very challenging. Releasing them into the wild is basically a death sentence. Territorial and native habitat requirements are species-specific, and natural foraging tendencies may have been faded due to habituation and domestication—leading to displacement, starvation, potential disease including introduction , the distribution of native wildlife, and death.

In the U. And it could be difficult to find a bird sanctuary willing to take your pet since many are at capacity. Many sellers prefer to sell to owners who have some experience with birds of prey. In general, it is a good idea to become familiar with them before seriously considering purchasing one because there might be aspects of their care that you will deem to be too much to handle.

Particularly with Eurasian eagle-owls, they are large birds that could cause harm with their beak and talons, and they require a dedicated owner to commit to their welfare in captivity. Understanding and learning how to train them is important, however many people have a natural affinity for animal training techniques and can be self-taught as long as they are willing to continue learning from experienced people.

Since , a state falconry permit is the only thing required to be in compliance with federal regulations —you no longer need a federal permit as well.

The first thing you'll want to do is check with your state's licensing office to see what is required in order to obtain a permit. It's important to note that falconry is prohibited in Hawaii. Also, the minimum age for having a permit is 12 years old, but some states require you to be older.

The state will send you a list of materials that includes information on caring for these raptors. You'll want to seriously consider if you're ready to put in the work. It would also be a good idea to reach out to a local or state falconry organization, if possible. They may be able to also send you some in-depth literature on regulations and other pertinent information.

Every new falconer needs to have a sponsor for at least the first two years. New falconers are called apprentices and serve under either a general or master class falconer.

Some potential sponsors will require you to hunt with them for a year before agreeing to be your sponsor. You may also be required to take a hunting safety course. The exam consists of questions designed to test your knowledge of birds of prey, raptor biology, health care of the birds, laws, and more.

Your sponsor will oversee the construction of your facilities to house your raptor since there are strict legal requirements.