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Also in this section

  • Raptor Program
  • Meet Our Raptors
  • Book a Program
  • Barred Owl Nest Box Cam
  • Support Our Raptors
  • At the Mews

Athena

Athena, female Barn Owl at Schlitz Audubon
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Barn Owl
Tyto alba

Athena came to Schlitz Audubon when she was one month old to grow into her role as an education bird. She hatched at World Bird Sanctuary with the goal to educate on protecting natural habitats and restoring Barn Owls to their native Midwestern range.

Hatch Year: 2017

Average Weight: 1-1 ½ pounds | Athena: 1.2 pounds

Wingspan: 39-49 in

Lifespan in the Wild: 2 years

Lifespan in Captivity: 15 years

Fun Fact: Barn Owls have the some of the best hearing abilities in the animal kingdom. Athena’s head is almost always moving as she uses her asymmetrical ears to triangulate the location of the sounds she hears.

About my Species: Barn Owls are found on every continent except Antarctica and are the most widespread of any owl species. Their tall, white bodies and eerie vocalizations have earned them the nickname “the Ghost Owl.” They are endangered in the Midwest due to habitat loss and ingestion of rodenticide. The Barn Owl’s life expectancy reflects that so many Barn Owls dying young due to poisoning.

Learn more about Barn Owls!

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Support Athena and our other raptors.

Support Athena and our other raptors.:Donate

Meet Other Raptors

Glory

Baron von Screech, Eastern Screech Owl at Schlitz Audubon

Baron von Screech

Loki, American Crow at Schlitz Audubon

Loki

nicco-broad-winged-hawk-schlitz-audubon

Nicco

Schlitz Audubon Nature Center

Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, our mission is to conserve our land’s diverse habitats on Lake Michigan and provide meaningful experiences and environmental education for all.

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Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
1111 E. Brown Deer Road
Milwaukee, WI 53217
(414) 352-2880

Hours
8:30am – 5:00pm Daily

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Free for members
Adult | $10
Ages 3-17 | $7
2 and Under | Free
Military | $7

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National Audubon Society
Schlitz Audubon is an independent, locally supported partner of the National Audubon Society.

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