A Lifeline for a Wounded Owl: 3,000 Voices Unite to Heal a Broken Wing

by ZengChoe on Jun 12 2025

In a fast-paced world, where everything seems to move at lightning speed, a small act of kindness can be a powerful reminder of the beauty of slowing down. That’s exactly what happened when an injured Barn Owl, found tangled in a barbed wire fence, became the focus of a global outpouring of support.

The heartwarming story began when Instagram and TikTok influencer Lexie (@uncstan) and her sister in law discovered the injured owl and quickly took it to the Chintimini Wildlife Center (@cwcwildlife), a nonprofit organization dedicated to wildlife rehabilitation and education in Corvallis, Oregon. Lexie’s heartfelt post about the owl’s rescue spread across social media, capturing the hearts of thousands.

You can view the original post here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKNtWpByUaz/

Birdfy Steps In: Joining the Rescue Journey

Barn Owls are known for their heart-shaped facial discs and their ability to silently glide through the night sky, hunting small mammals like rodents. Despite their widespread presence across North America, these owls face numerous threats, including habitat loss, accidents, and environmental changes. They are essential for controlling rodent populations, but like many wild species, they are vulnerable to injuries that require specialized care.

Interestingly, Barn Owls and backyard birds share an ecological relationship, albeit in different ways. While backyard birds enjoy feeding on seeds, insects, and small wildlife, Barn Owls play a critical role in keeping the population of small mammals in check, especially rodents that might otherwise disrupt the delicate balance in backyard ecosystems. By controlling rodent numbers, Barn Owls help reduce the competition for resources, ultimately benefiting backyard birds by ensuring a healthy environment where food and nesting sites are plentiful.

In this case, the owl’s injury was a reminder of the delicate balance in nature and how critical it is for injured wildlife to receive prompt care. However, treating and rehabilitating an owl, especially one as delicate as a Barn Owl, is not an easy task. These owls are more sensitive to stress and environmental changes than many other species, making recovery particularly challenging. Even when they receive the necessary medical treatment, the chances of full recovery can be low, especially for owls that have been injured at a young age. The process is both complex and time-consuming, which is why organizations like Chintimini Wildlife Center play such a vital role in saving these majestic creatures.

When we at Birdfy heard about this story, we were deeply moved. It reminded us of the importance of coming together to support those in need, whether they are people or animals. Inspired by the outpouring of love and support for this owl, we knew we had to step in and help. We reached out to Lexie and the Chintimini Wildlife Center to launch a collaborative campaign aimed at raising funds for the owl’s medical treatment and rehabilitation.

In this moment, we felt a deep connection to this owl’s journey, and we were grateful for the opportunity to be a part of something that meant so much to so many. For 72 hours, we pledged to donate $1 for every comment on a special Instagram post, with the goal of raising $3,000 to cover the owl’s care. And to our delight, the response was overwhelming.

The Power of Community: "We Love You 3000"

What was initially meant to be a 72-hour campaign hit its $3,000 donation goal in just 36 hours! The overwhelming support from people who cared about the owl — and wildlife in general — was a powerful reminder of the impact we can have when we come together. Many of us at Birdfy followed the updates closely, feeling deeply connected to this heartwarming rescue story.

Viola, one of our team members, shared, “It really warmed my heart to see how much people care. It’s a reminder that, together, we can make a real difference.” Giselle, another team member, added, “We always talk about the technology that makes birdwatching easier, but this experience showed us that at the heart of it all is a deep, personal connection to nature.”

Since the campaign began, we’ve seen over 60,000 views, 3,043 comments, and 2,036 likes on the post. Thanks to the swift and professional care provided by the team at Chintimini Wildlife Center, the rescued Barn Owl is doing well. It’s steadily gaining weight, handling food better, and is on its way to a full recovery.

You can view our partnership post here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKrxdW0R41I/

Birdfy’s Commitment to Conservation

This is not Birdfy’s first charitable effort. Since our launch, we’ve been committed to supporting wildlife, education, and environmental causes through Birdfy Fund. We’ve allocated $1 from every sale to support initiatives like wildlife conservation, environmental education, and nature accessibility. To date, we’ve raised over $400,000, contributing to more than 50 causes worldwide.

This collaboration with Chintimini is a perfect reflection of what Birdfy stands for. Birds have always been an integral part of our lives, and we believe technology can bridge the gap between people and nature. Our work with organizations such as Audubon Society chapters, wildlife rehab centers, and Birdability demonstrates our commitment to bringing the “Bird Side of Life” to life — where nature is loved, protected, and cherished by all.

A Call to Get Involved

This collaboration is just the beginning. As the owl’s recovery progresses, we encourage everyone to stay tuned for updates on this heartwarming story. We’ll continue to share important milestones along the way.

Every follow is a connection; every comment is a lifeline. Together, we can create a world where every bird has the chance to soar once again.