Penguin Toy Saves Depressed Owl After Its Mate Died

A heartbroken owl was depressed after losing its mate. However, it found an unexpected hope and friendship in a stuffed penguin toy.

Depressed Owl Saved

Wildlife rescuers saw a barn owl in Australia sitting close to his deceased lover, who had been killed in a car accident. The bird had no physical issues, but because they are lifelong partners, he was "very depressed" due to the loss, according to Karen Ledger, a wildlife rescuer.

Ledger works as the Port Macquarie bird coordinator for the wildlife rescue group Fostering and Assistance for Wildlife Needing Aid (FAWNA).

Australia is home to many barn owl species, which typically exclusively hunt at night. Although these birds develop a new pair connection if one dies before the other, they are lifelong partners. The dejected owl sat in his cage after being saved with "his eyes closed and head down."

Ledger said she could only think about how to help the owl. She felt that the animal would die if she would leave it alone.

She decided to give the owl a companion in the form of a plush penguin toy. She placed a stuffed animal penguin roughly the size of an owl next to him. The strange company worked wonders because the owl eventually started to feel better.

After a few days, he began to brighten and open his eyes, according to Ledger. He recovered to the point where he was fit enough to be let go.

It was only one of many original ideas Ledger had over the years to take care of the birds FAWNA rescues. The expert said they must think outside the box, adapt, and use their resources to help the birds.

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Owls Are Monogamous - They Mate For Life

"Lovebirds" refer to several birds; many would think of swans, pigeons, and even penguins upon hearing the word. However, several birds of prey also mate for life, including owls.

The majority of owl species are monogamous in general. However dispersed the migratory species may be throughout the year, they always return to the same nesting location during the mating season to reproduce and rear their young. The Great Horned Owls are one exception to this rule since they frequently switch spouses after five years.

Male barn owlsmate for life ando go above and above to win over their female lovers. Barn owl males will go out of their way to hunt more to provide their spouse extra food during courtship.

Aside from barn owls, several animals mate for life, including sandhill cranes, prairie voles, termites, beavers, and albatross.

One study, however, asserted that climate change and rising waters force male albatrosses to scavenge for food farther away, which causes divorces. The typically monogamous albatrosses' divorce rates have allegedly risen.

The research team suggests two possible correlations between rising albatross divorce rates and increasing sea temperatures. First, females move on because males are compelled to hunt farther and longer and no longer visit the mating area during warmer years. Experts also suggest that difficult circumstances and food scarcity may raise the stress hormone levels in the birds, causing them to perceive successful matings adversely.