MAD-EYE & SQUINT: a pair of great horned owls
The two raptors have similar histories. Both were found near busy roads and had head trauma—probably from being hit by cars, a common cause of injury and mortality in owls. They were diagnosed with irreparable eye damage in both eyes, and Mad-Eye also had a dislocated coracoid bone (connects the forelimb to the trunk). They were deemed non-releasable because of their reduced vision.
One difference between these two owls is their sex: Mad-Eye is female and Squint is male. Mad-Eye is larger and has a more cinnamon-brown plumage while Squint is paler, with sand-colored plumage. In many species of raptor, females average 30-50% bigger than males, sometimes even twice the size!
Mad-Eye and Squint appear to have bonded and can often be seen perched side-by-side on a high perch.
