Cypress
Cypress, a Barred Owl, arrived at the Auburn University Raptor Center in 2016 as a young bird after being kept in human care for too long before admission. Because of this early and extended contact with people, she became accidentally imprinted and cannot be released back into the wild. Instead, she now depends on our staff for care and serves as an important ambassador for her species.
As a Barred Owl, Cypress represents one of the Southeast’s most familiar forest dwelling raptors, known for their deep, resonant “Who cooks for you?” call and striking dark brown eyes. Her presence in programs allows us to highlight the natural behaviors of these adaptable owls, as well as the conservation challenges, they face, including habitat loss rodenticides.
Weighing around 700 grams with broad, rounded wings built for silent flight, Cypress showcases the remarkable adaptations that make Barred Owls such effective nocturnal hunters. Despite the circumstances that brought her to us, she has grown into a steady and engaging member of our ambassador team, helping visitors develop a deeper appreciation for the wildlife that shares our forests.
