From Blackland Prairie Raptor Center

Please do not use glue traps. Here’s a story as to the harm glue traps can do.

When a bird is caught on a glue trap, it thrashes around trying to free itself and their feathers get shredded and torn off. If a bird is stuck on a glue trap too long, it will dehydrate and starve.

In November 2024, an Eastern Screech Owl was brought to our Raptor Center after being found with all of its body and wing feathers greasy and covered in glue. Glue was also found on the owl’s toes, feet, and ankles. Our Raptor Clinic Staff washed the owl multiple days to remove as much glue as possible. A bird cannot properly preen sticky feathers.

For many days, it was in our ICU and kept warm with a heating pad. After a few weeks, it was placed in an outdoor flight cage so that it could keep its flight muscles strong. Staff continued to bathe the owl periodically to continue to remove grease and glue.

This little owl has been amazing in its 250+ days with us. The owl’s first flights in the mew were clumsy and it was out of breath after a few laps in the mew. It got stronger and stronger while old greasy feathers molted out and new healthy feathers grew in. The owl is able to do more and more laps without getting out of breath. Staff is was monitoring the owl to ensure it can catch live food. Not all occurrences of birds stuck in glue traps have an outcome like this owl. It has already taken months and months of continuous work by our Rehab Clinic Staffand the owl too.

These photos are from a recent examination by our Staff and you can see the new feathers in its wing and tail. The owl in its mew looks wide-eyed and ready to take on the world again.