Island naturalist Gus Ben David's menagerie expanded a bit this week with the addition of a young eastern screech-owl.

Mr. Ben David is the go-to guy for birds and wildlife that need some human help to get back on their feet (or talons). Through the years he has he has raised or rehabilitated bald eagles, osprey, and a wide range of owls, among other species. Most of the birds are released back to the wild.

In April, Mr. Ben David took over the care of a young great horned owlet that fell out of a nest in Milton.

The great horned owlet is growing at a rapid rate, Mr. Ben David said this week. The owl ate up to 25 medium-sized mice per day for several weeks as he was growing (he needs the protein to grow his feathers). These days he is eating the equivalent of 12 full-grown mice each day.

The great horned owlet was joined this week by the young screech-owl, which was found along County Road. Mr. Ben David estimated the screech-owlet is three or four weeks old.

Screech-owls are much smaller than great-horned owls, weighing about six ounces with a wingspan measuring about 20 inches. Great horned owls are at the other end of the owl spectrum, usually weighing about three pounds with wingspands of 44 inches.

Mr. Ben David will be releasing both owls to the wild when they are older.