Resident Owls
Christine’s Critters is home to five resident owls from three different species, each unable to return to the wild due to permanent injuries. Through their powerful stories of survival, these owls inspire people to respect, protect, and cherish wildlife for generations to come.
Resident Owls are housed under lawful permits issued by:
United States Fish and Wildlife Service : Special Use Exhibition Permit
United States Department of Agriculture : Class C Exhibitor
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection : Possession Permit
Barred Owl
Cypress
​
The Voice of Now Fragmented Wilderness
Cypress was first brought to us after being struck by a car in Westport, Connecticut in 2018. After weeks of treatment, she made a full recovery, passed her live prey tests, and was released back into the wild.
Only six weeks later, Cypress was found again after another collision with a vehicle. This time, her injuries caused permanent head trauma that left her unable to hunt or survive on her own.
Her story reflects the reality of a state like Connecticut, where roads intersect so much of the natural landscape. Barred Owls hunt low over fields and roadways, making them especially vulnerable to vehicle strikes.
Cypress has now taken on a new role as an ambassador for her species. With her calm presence and distinctive call, she helps people understand the threats owls face and the importance of driving with care, especially at night.
​
Her story encourages us to drive carefully on wooded roads and never litter, since even small pieces of trash can attract rodents and put hunting owls in harm’s way.
Barred Owl
Willow
Teaching How Rodenticide Kills More than Rats
​
​
Willow was rescued in 2015 in Massachusetts after being struck by a vehicle and taken to Tufts University’s wildlife clinic. She had suffered a radius fracture in her wing, and veterinarians attempted surgical repair.
Although she received weeks of expert treatment, the fracture did not heal well enough to allow strong, sustained flight, leaving her with a permanent flight deficit. Tufts determined she was non-releasable, and Willow found a permanent home at Christine’s Critters.
Her story shows that even with expert veterinary care, not every injury can be healed enough for a bird to return to the wild. Owls, like Willow, often fly low while hunting along roadsides, which puts them directly in the path of cars.
Owls are also at risk from both 1st and 2nd generation rodenticide poison, which work their way up the food chain when owls eat these targeted rodents. Willow inspires others to choose more humane options such as integrative pest control management.
Willow gives a voice to the unseen dangers owls face and helps people recognize how everyday choices impact wildlife.
Northern Saw-Whet Owl
Douglas
A Tiny Owl with a Mighty Story
​
​
CT Species of Special Concern
Douglas was struck by a car in 2021 during his migration and suffered a severe soft tissue injury to his wing that prevents him from flying well enough to survive on his own. Because of this, he was deemed non-releasable and now serves as an ambassador at Christine’s Critters.
​
Each fall, these owls migrate through Connecticut, with a small breeding population remaining here, though they are far more common farther north. They rely on the preservation of old-growth pine forests for safe nesting and hunting. Douglas's species nest in holes in trees, often carved out by Pileated Woodpeckers.
Imagine the vast, wild boreal forests of Canada where they raise their young compared to the busy, developed landscapes they must navigate during migration.
​
Douglas helps everyone recognize these unseen risks and reminds us that protecting forests and making humane choices at home can safeguard even the smallest owls on their journey. His story inspires awareness and action, showing how conservation across both local and distant habitats is essential for their future.
Eastern Screech Owl
Magma
Masters of Camouflage, Heroes for Education.
​
​
​
Magma’s story began when he fell from his tree as a tiny nestling. A young boy discovered him on the ground and quickly sought help, giving Magma the chance to survive.
Born with a severely deformed right wing, twisted upside down and backwards, he could never fly or live independently in the wild.
Instead, Magma has grown into a remarkable ambassador. His resilience shows that even birds with the most unusual challenges can thrive with care and protection.
Magma also teaches an important lesson. If you ever find a baby bird on the ground, calling a licensed rehabilitator to assess the situation is the best way to make sure the animal gets the right care.
Through his presence, Magma helps people understand that every life has value, no matter how small or how different. He inspires compassion and shows how human choices can make the difference between life and death for wildlife in need.
Eastern Screech Owl
Ash
Masters of Camouflage, Heroes for Education
​
​
Ash’s story began in 2016 in Weston, Connecticut, when she was struck by a car while flying low across a roadway. A passerby noticed her just in time and rescued her before she could be run over, giving her the chance to survive.
The collision left Ash with a permanently ruptured iris, making her unable to see or heal well enough to hunt on her own. While owls rely heavily on their incredible hearing to locate prey, they also need sharp vision to strike with precision. Without full use of both senses, survival in the wild is impossible.
As a gray-phase Eastern Screech Owl, Ash now serves as an ambassador at Christine’s Critters. Her story highlights the dangers raptors face near roads and helps people understand how simple choices, like slowing down when driving through wooded areas, can protect wildlife.
Through her presence, Ash shows that even when an injury prevents a return to the wild, every life still has value. She inspires compassion, raises awareness, and teaches that quick action by caring people can make the difference between life and death for animals in need.