WHAT TO DO FOR AN OWL IN NEED? The City of Davis Owl Box Program and your efforts to reduce chemical rodent bait use are + important in protecting the wildlife and aquatic If you or someone you know finds a sick or resources in our local community. injured owl, do not attempt to handle the animal. While owls are normally gentle birds, if they are injured or feel threatened, they may be dangerous. To report an ill or BARN OWL injured barn owl, please call the California Raptor Center at UC Davis at (530)752- BOX PROGRAM 6091. THE BIGGER PICTURE Whenever you use rodent bait or poison either outside or inside your home, remember where the bait can travel. If rinsed off of your Help us to protect your wildlife and water property and into your gutter, the bait- resources for current and future contaminated water will flow into the city generations. storm drainage system. This water moves through the storm drain piping below our For more information about how you can streets to our rivers, creeks, wetlands, sloughs, prevent water pollution please call the the delta and the bay. Environmental Compliance Coordinator, or for more detailed information about the City’s Stormwater fills the Davis storm water Barn Owl Box Program or plans to build your detention and wildlife ponds which are own owl box, the Wildlife Resource Specialist. landscaped to support an array of wildlife Both can be reached by calling (530)757-5686. species. Stormwater is also conveyed to the Davis Wetlands where it is used to support the For other helpful hints including proper Promoting alternatives wetlands system and all its wild inhabitants. composting techniques and proper disposal of to pesticides… Stormwater pollution can be extremely harmful household chemicals, visit the City of Davis to the health of the plants and animals in our website at: cityofdavis.org community. THE BENEFITS OF OWLS Resident pest control specialists! Yolo County is one of many regions in the State Barn Owl boxes are rectangular wooden shelters of California that provide habitat for native in which the owls will nest and roost. The owls raptor species. In particular, areas in and around will snuggle together on the box’s floor, and will the City of Davis are well-established habitats remain there during most of the day. When for owls including the Barn Owl. night falls, Barn Owls will leave their box in pursuit of primarily rodent prey. Remarkably, Barn Owls are able to hunt in complete *purple region denotes Barn Owl range darkness, and will use their acute sense of hearing and excellent vision to locate unsuspecting creatures. Barn Owls will spot and swoop down upon their prey, which include rodents, insects and small birds. Once captured, prey is eaten or brought to the box of hungry offspring. It is possible that after Barn Owls have moved into a local owl box, you may see owl pellets inside or around the box. These small wads of hair, feathers and bones resemble scat but are regurgitated by the owls following digestion of Why not use rodent baits? prey. These odorless pellets are interesting to dissect, as the entire skeleton of the prey item can Each year, consumers from private homeowners to be found. When handling a pellet, be sure to wear city businesses purchase rodent baits to keep their rubber gloves and/or thoroughly wash your hands properties free of mice, rats and gophers. These afterward. pesticides, ranging from powders to pellets, are not only limited in their effectiveness, but also toxic, particularly to children and pets. Household rodent Barn Owls are among the larger owl species with Did you know . ? bait use may cause adverse health effects. wingspans of roughly 3.5 feet on average. They One Barn Owl male can have multiple mates in a Neighborhood owls can decrease the need for these can be easily recognized by their characteristic given breeding season, and sires between three and six toxic remedies by providing a natural and safe light-colored breast plumage and heart-shaped chicks per mate. control for rodent pests. faces. Despite their abilities as successful hunters, Barn Owls typically live for only a short Not only will you, your family and your pets benefit time, surviving for an average of 18 months to 2 from the presence of local owls, stormwater runoff years. will too. By relying more on natural pest control methods, more toxic pesticides are kept out of your yard, storm drains and waterways. Did you know . ? One nest of six young Barn Owls and two adults may consume as many as 1,000 small mammals in a single nesting season. .