History: Azjnii was found as a fluffy fledgling on the ground after a windstorm. She was raised together with another young great horned owl by Tskili, one of our resident adult great horned owls. This practice minimizes the danger of young owls imprinting on humans and increases their chances for survival in the wild.
However, at the end of the summer it was discovered that Azjnii had cataracts in both eyes and was unable to see well enough to hunt. She was therefore non-releasable and joined the education bird program.
In June 2010 we placed a baby great horned owl in Azjnii's mew, so Azjnii could be a role model for the baby. It worked extremely well – Azjnii even brought food to the baby and hooted a lot. A winning solution for both.
Azjnii is a very vocal owl and at times hoots up a storm. She is at her best at presentations and works wonderfully well with the handlers she likes.
The name "Azjnii" means "True Sight"
History: Tskili and a sibling arrived as fuzzy fledglings who had fallen from their nesting tree probably while climbing around. At the end of summer, the sibling was released but Tskili was non-releasable and joined the education bird program. His left shoulder area is permanently injured from the fall. He can fly level from perch to perch and down, but he cannot fly from the ground up.
Over the years, Tskili has been foster father to many young great horned owls, including Azjnii, one of our current education birds. He is providing a very important service, because it helps the young owls to learn to be owls instead of imprinting on humans.
Tskili is a veteran of the education bird program and well liked by all.
The name "Tskili" means "Mysterious One" in a Native American language.
History: Rhett was probably hit by a car as a fledgling because he had an old wing injury when he arrived at Chintimini. His left wing was broken at the wrist and had healed, but rotated slightly inward, limiting his ability to fly silently or long distances. A barn owl who does not have silent flight cannot hunt successfully. He was non-releasable.
Rhett's easy temperament made him a good candidate for the education bird program. His handlers love him dearly.
Originally, Logan (Jeff's son) named him "Marietta" after his cousin. When a DNA test revealed that he was a male owl, the name was shortened to "Rhett" (like Rhett Butler).
History: Kiska arrived at Chintimini as fluffy baby and was transferred soon after her arrival to CRC in Eugene to be raised together with other young barn owls. There, it was discovered that she had severe calcium deficiency and developed several hairline breaks in her wings and legs. During treatment and recovery she became imprinted on humans. There is also the possibility of recurrence of bone fractures. For these reasons she is non-releasable.
After her bones had healed, she returned to Chintimini in July 2009 and joined the education bird program.
She is exceptionally friendly and very trusting. Kiska loves interaction with people.
History: Morgan arrived as a young adult. She was probably born in the spring of 2005. When she came to us she had an injury to her right wrist and right eye, most likely from a collision with a vehicle. The wrist healed and she could fly very well, but the collapsed lens in her right eye made her non-releasable. She joined our education bird program.
Morgan is very easy-going, flies to the glove for food and is a joy to work with. She is a favorite with many handlers. Because she is so popular we must make sure she gets a well deserved rest every once in a while.
History: Andre arrived with an injured and infected right wing. The bone infection lingered on and Andre spent the next 22 months in home-care with one of our volunteers, undergoing extensive medical procedures to save his wing while incurring tremendous medical bills during that time. He is non-releasable and joined the education bird program in October 2009. Andre will step up on the glove and take food from the hand. He can be aggressive but also gets frightened easily because, after all, everyone is bigger than he.
His name, "Andre" implies that he is VERY BIG, named after the actor who plays the giant in "The Princess Bride".
