Back to the Wild: Retrospective Evaluation of Rehabilitation and Release Processes in Barn Owl (Tyto alba) Chicks

In this study, the eight-week rehabilitation process of Barn Owl (Tyto alba) nestlings until their release into the wild was evaluated based on weekly developmental stages. Between 2023 and 2025, sixteen Barn Owl nestlings, estimated to be 3–4 weeks of age (mean weight 233.4 ± 10.3 g) and to have fallen from their nests, were admitted to ABC123 University. The owls were monitored individually in a clinical setting and underwent a structured rehabilitation programme considering weekly physical development indicators such as plumage, balance, body weight, reflexes, flight ability, and prey handling skills. Feeding plans were age-adjusted, starting with small pieces of meat and progressing to whole meaty bones while monitoring pellet-casting behaviours. Housing was transitioned from temperature- and light-controlled incubators (0.8 × 1 × 0.6 m) to spacious, naturalistic flight and exercise areas (4 × 10 × 4 m). From the eighth week onwards, flight training and predatory feeding behaviours were systematically evaluated, with minimal human contact maintained to reduce imprinting. Statistical measurements revealed significant weight increases between consecutive periods (p<0.001). While two owls died during rehabilitation, fourteen were successfully released. All surviving owls were released using the “hard release” method at twelve weeks of age, upon reaching a mean weight of 340.0 ± 12.0 g. The findings indicate that an age-based weekly care approach can effectively support the development of flight, prey manipulation, and natural behaviours in Barn Owls. This study is one of the studies presenting weekly, literature-based data on Barn Owl rehabilitation in Türkiye.