Owls are increasingly kept as display and educational animals, but their specialized needs make captive welfare challenging to achieve adequately.
Captive owl welfare is compromised by the mismatch between their solitary, territorial, highly active nocturnal nature and typical captive conditions. Tethered owls used in falconry or education displays experience restriction of flight that is particularly difficult for birds whose primary adaptive behaviors depend on flight. Daytime display conditions disrupt sleep cycles for nocturnal species. Well-managed educational programs using large flight enclosures and appropriate rest periods can provide better welfare outcomes.