Ambassador Lionel

Lionel was received by SWR for rehab in October, 2006. He was found injured near some railroad tracks, so the rehabber named him after the iconic Lionel toy train sets that kids used to play with. Lionel had a droopy left wing and, although not broken, it never healed correctly. We assume he is a male, because he currently weighs around 950 grams, being much smaller than a female, who can weigh up to 1600 grams. He is given four mice a night and may eat them all or just one.

Lionel has an extremely mellow personality, and allows handler Judy Monestier to show his many characteristics, such as the nictating eye and the little tufts (“horns”) on his head, without becoming upset. Because of this, and also his beauty and size, he makes a great education ambassador for his species.

Owls are relatively sedentary by nature, even in their hunting techniques, so Lionel has adapted well to living in a captive environment. Great horned owls are found all over the United States, and their distinctive nocturnal call of ho-ho hoo-hoo-hoo is commonly heard. They are sometimes called the “Coyotes of the Bird World” because, like coyotes, they are extremely opportunistic hunters and have adapted well to living with man.