Lincoln Kids!
Elliott the Barred Owl By Andrea Faas, Naturalist, Pioneers Park Nature Center
W
hat is your favorite animal at the Nature Center? I try not to play favorites but I do love the birds of prey. Of those beautiful and strong birds the one I like best is Elliott. Elliott is a Barred Owl (Strix varia) that came to the Nature Center in 1999. Elliott, like all the birds of prey at the Nature Center, is permenantly injured and cannot be released into the wild. He is instead an educational ambassador that helps us to teach others about the wildlife and the habitats around us. Most days Elliott can be found hiding in the cedar tree in his enclosure along the trail. He’s hard to see with his excellent camouflage. If you look for the pair of dark eyes half way up the tree to the left of the trunk, he’s usually there.
wing. Even though One of the great he can’t fly, he can things I get to do as get around just fine. a Naturalist is take Sometimes when Elliott out to educaI’m holding Elliott tional programs and he may jump or fall events. I love holdoff of my glove. ing Elliott. Now I When that happens don’t “hold” Elliott he could hit the like someone would ground and get hurt hold a baby or but if I have a tight stuffed toy, that hold of his jesses he wouldn’t be very won’t fall all the safe. Even though photo by way to the ground. he looks so sweet Adrian Olivera When Elliott and I and fluffy it is go to programs, I important to remember he is a powerful bird of talk to and look at the audience, prey or raptor with a sharp beak but I also keep a close eye on and talons. Instead I have a large Elliott. I have to make sure he is thick leather glove that I wear and comfortable and not stressed. Elliott perches on my hand and Often I just enjoy looking closely arm. He has a hold of me while I at him. He has beautiful dark eyes am holding the leather straps or and amazing feathers. Some of the feathers on his face look like jesses that are tied to his ankles. Elliott has a wing injury that whiskers. I also respect Elliott, he resulted in the amputation of one is a wild animal and it is my job to
protect and care for him. If he is comfortable with me and an audience, he will perch nicely and let people examine him closely. We don’t often see owls in the wild and the opportunity to see one up close and get to know that owl is very special. I am so thankful that I can work with Elliott to help people learn about and care for wildlife and its habitat. If you have not met Elliott you should visit the Nature Center to see him and the other birds of prey. There are many amazing animals for you to discover and find your own favorite animal.
Spring 2014 Page 43