ELMIRA, N.Y. (WENY) -- Meet Casper, the newest resident of the Tanglewood Nature Center!
This captivating Barn Owl, only six months old, came to the facility two months ago and is described as “fitting right in” with the rest of the animals.
Barn Owls are one of the less common owl species found around New York State and make excellent hunters.
Typically, they play an important role in the food chain considering they love to eat rodents. The enchanting wild animal can eat mice, rats, chipmunks, squirrels, and more. They’re described as being ‘prolific eaters,” helping reduce rodent and pest populations – a reason why you may find them commonly around farms.
Considering their eyes are attached to their socket; to judge distance you may find them often bobbing their head, formally known as motion parallax.
Before they were coined the name “Barn Owls,” they were originally referred to as “Ghost Owls,” due to the sound of their calls. Unlike other owls who are associated with hooting, Barn Owls instead let out a scream, like the way a cat ‘meows.’
The Tanglewood Nature Center will be hosting an “Amazing Animals Program” where attendees can meet animals like Casper and other animal ambassadors where they’ll learn how the center takes care of them and where you can find them around the world.
The event will take place Nov. 30 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and guests can sign up by visiting their website or waiting for the Facebook event to be posted soon.