There are few things in nature that elicit the same degree of wonder, excitement, and awe of nature than an encounter with an owl. This family of birds captures the human imagination: their power, their mystique, their global distribution. Even before Harry Potter made them the avian Hollywood darling, owls have appeared as religious symbols and subjects of art and literature for nearly as long as humans have existed. An argument could be made that owls are the ultimate ambassadors, their very existence opening the door to the wonders of nature the world over.
For wildlife, however, mass human fascination can come at a steep price. Life in the wild is not easy and owls, particularly in the winter, are already living life on the edge. Disturbance from humans, however small, can cause stress to birds and expend precious energy and resources. This is especially the case when people prioritize a fleeting photo over the welfare of the animal. Whether through ignorance or selfish intent, numerous stories have emerged of owls being unnecessarily and unacceptably harassed. It is not hyperbole to say that their lives are on the line when this happens.
With this in mind, we have compiled the following code of ethics for owl observation. This list is based on years of field observations and scientific research and, while not exhaustive, contains the most impactful ways that everyone can help keep them safe.
The Ethical Owl Observer
· We do not share locations on public forums or social media.
· We do not approach owls any closer than the point at which they were encountered, and retreat if signs of stress are observed.
We will learn the signs of wildlife under duress and act accordingly when we observe it.
· We stay on “the sidelines” and don’t enter an open area where an owl is hunting.
· We do not intentionally flush, feed, or bait owls.
· We do not use flash photography.
· We actively celebrate images depicting owls showing signs of no stress and active rest.
· We will not attack others who break these rules: educate, not berate.
· We will respectfully educate others to build an informed community.
It is not our place to tell people that they should not or cannot have the joy of meeting an owl in the wild. As advocates for the protection and welfare of all avian life, it does fall to us, however, to encourage those who seek them out to act responsibly. As leaders in the birding community, we pledge to hold ourselves to these standards and actively seek to educate our communities and members of the public of these principles.
Signed
Chicago Audubon Society
photo credits: Carl Giometti, Edward Warden. Graphic: Michelle Weaver