323 Lester Road, Apopka, Florida 32712, United States
Welcome to the Avian Reconditioning Center (ARC)'s Official Website
We are open to the public Saturdays starting at 10am, weather permitting.
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The Holidays Are Here!
Purchase your ARC Holiday T-Shirt Today!
Are you looking for a unique gift idea? Look no further! Try our NexttBox on Etsy. You can also stop by ARC on a Saturday. and get your shopping done. Meet the birds and visit our Resource Shop with special items for all ages.
This Holiday Tree was designed by our Senior Raptor Care Technician, Amanda..
Explore the Avian Reconditioning Center
Educational Programs
Educational Programs
Educational Programs
ARC provides engaging wildlife programs for schools, scout troops, churches, civic groups, retirement centers, and other non-profits, both on-site and off-site.
Falconry Experiences
Educational Programs
Educational Programs
Experience a unique private encounter with our magnificent birds of prey! Have Henry or Ella, our Barn Owls, perch on your gloved hand, or feel the thrill as Ford, our Aplomado Falcon, flies directly to you!
Rehabilitation
Educational Programs
Rehabilitation
If you've found an injured or orphaned bird of prey, ARC is here to help. We specialize in the rehabilitation of birds of prey and are licensed and regulated by state and federal agencies to provide specialized care.
Our Special Rehab Owlet, Webster
Great Horned Owls
Great Horned Owls
Great Horned Owls
Owls are born with four toes. Two usually face forward and two pointing backward like an X or K-shaped toe pattern. These are known as zygodactyl feet. (Zygodactyl [ zahy-guh-DAK-til] )
This unique formation helps birds grip things more efficiently, such as sitting on a branch or using incredible force to catch their prey. Owls are also capable of moving one of the back toes forward, allowing for a flexible grip. That means they would now have three toes forward and one in the back. Ospreys are another raptor that has this capability.
March 2025
Great Horned Owls
Great Horned Owls
In March of this year, a special owlet was admitted into our care with webbed toes on both feet. This is condition is extremely rare. This could have been caused during fetal development, where the digits did not separate properly or inherited through a mutated gene. Though it might be a rare birth defect for an owl, it is a known condition called Syndactyly (sin-dak-tuh-lee) and occurs in many other animals and in humans. The owlet was nicknamed “Webster”.
Radiographs
Great Horned Owls
Radiographs
Webster was having trouble grasping onto a perch, and unable to rotate his toes. Radiographs were taken to make sure the bones were not fused together. Fortunately they showed that the owlets feet were indeed webbed (joined by skin and tissue).
Surgery
Thank You
Radiographs
Our veterinarian performed the Syndactyly Release Surgery with exceptional results. Post-op pictures show his tiny little sutures.
Healing
Thank You
Thank You
Webster grew stronger everyday. As he healed, Webster was able to grip the perch using his feet and he started to learn how to fly. Webster was a special little owlet and it was a special evening when he was released!
Thank You
Thank You
Thank You
ARC has helped hundreds of birds get a second chance. So far this year we have admitted 350 and 45 of these admits were great-horned owls. We could not do this important work without you. Thank you for supporting ARC!
