HPAI Strikes Again: Two Great Horned Owl Fatalities at the Farm

November 2023

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Denver getting the male Great Horned Owl named Hunter ready to go to Wild Skies Raptor Center for evaluation

Eulogy for "Hunter" & "Evie"

May we come together to mourn the loss of 2 remarkable Great Horned Owls (the mating pair) here at the farm, who in an unfortunate turn of events, succumbed to what is highly suspected as avian flu (HPAI). There was also a magpie found deceased on the farm the same day the female owl was found. "Hunter" was taken to Wild Skies Raptor Center after we had been alerted by cam watchers that he hadn't been moving around, but unfortunately he passed away a couple days later. For more up-to-date information about HPAI and raptors, please see:

• University of Minnesota's Raptor Center HPAI Resource Page

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Technical Report: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Viruses: CDC

• Montana Department of Livestock https://liv.mt.gov/Animal-Health/Avian-Influenza-2022

Great Horned Owls can become infected with HPAI after eating infected waterfowl, which is what we suspect may have happened with both of these owls, especially after finding the dead magpie nearby. ORI property is located next to Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge and the Ninepipe Wildlife Management Area, which encompass important wetland habitats for waterfowl and many other bird species, so, while tragic, it is not surprising that HPAI has been found again in the area.

Thankfully our other resident Great Horned Owl pair, called 'Wonky' and 'Hootie,' have not been affected. Wonky and Hootie are featured on the explore.org Charlo Great Horned Owl cam, and can often be seen at night using the currently empty Osprey platform on the Osprey Nest- Charlo Montana Cam.

We are hopeful that Great Horned Owls will again come to nest at the Farm again in the Spring.