Gandalf – Our Great Gray Owl

The Great Grey Owl is one of the world's largest owls. It is often referred to as the Great Grey Ghost or Phantom of the North as it is one of the most reclusive owls of North America. Add to that its secretive habits and you have a bird that is rarely viewed and about which little is known.

As the name indicates, the Great Grey Owl is predominately gray with a prominent facial disc. It is a large bird but graceful and soundless in flight which makes it truly lethal for unsuspecting prey. These magnificent owls are carnivores that feed on gophers, squirrels, rabbits, mice, rats and even small birds and reptiles, but voles make up the bulk of their diet. They usually hunt in the early mornings or late afternoon but will hunt at night or in broad daylight if the need arises. They usually hunt from a perch, swooping down and snatching up their prey before it realizes there is a threat. With their keen auditory sense, they can hear their prey move about in tunnels two feet beneath the snow. The Great Greys will plow through the layer of snow, snatch up their prey and return to their perch to eat.

One of the more fascinating things about owls is “Owl Pellets”. Owls generally swallow their prey, small rodents and anything else they can manage to catch, whole.  The owl is left with parts that cannot be digested such as teeth, claws, bones, fur, and other indigestible parts of the owl's prey become an owl pellet.
A few hours after eating, an owl's pellet is usually fully formed and is ejected from the owl’s body by being “coughed” up, much like a cat does with a hairball. Until the owl pellet is ejected the owl is unable to eat again.
These pellets tell a great deal about owls and their feeding habits so it is not unusual for us to be asked to save the pellets for study by students.
That is life in the wild and that is what life used to be like for our Gandalf. In 2005, while going about his usual daily routine Gandalf had the misfortune of colliding with a vehicle. Fortunately the passengers of the vehicle that struck Gandalf realized what had happened and went to the aid of the poor owl. When they realized that he had survived the collision they immediately took him into Dr. Silvers Veterinarian Clinic in New Liskard. Gandalf’s left wing was severally damaged and needed to be amputated.  With his hunting days now behind him forever and his ability to survive in the wild gone, Dr. Silver and his wife who have been long time supporters of Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary then called AVWS to see if a permanent home could be made available for the unfortunate owl.
Gandalf has become a very special resident at AVWS. He is a huge favourite to one and all on visitors’ day however we are not quite sure who is checking out whom.
These cold winter days, Gandalf resides in the barn and receives daily doses of light from a UVA lamp to keep him healthy. His level of activity has increased with constant enrichment so it is not unusual to see the big grey boy hopping down from his perch for a quick dip in his pool and then off to another perch where he noshes on a mouse or two. One of his favourite activities is sitting in a cardboard box full of newspapers watching the staff go about their daily chores. Come the milder weather in the spring, once more Gandalf will move back to his enclosure outside to meet and greet his fans on visitors’ days.

In the interim, watch Gandalf having a little snack on the Video at: http://www.cottagecountrynow.ca/videozone