Rare baby owl ready to leave nest and take on galaxy

A rare baby owl the double of Star Wars villain Darth Vader is gearing up to take on the galaxy.

The black-feathered snowy owl, which was bred at the Scottish Owl Centre in West Lothian, is preparing to be rehomed in the coming weeks.

The one-month-old bird was born at the same time as a common Scot owl, which is the size of a Coke can and is already fully grown at six-inches tall.

The Scot owl has been called Groot, however the snowy owl does not have a name yet.

Both are classed as vulnerable species.

The common Scot owl is designed to blend in with twigs to hide from any predators in its natural habitat of woodland areas, while the snowy owl has big grey feathers which allow it to blend into its natural habitat of the Arctic.

Owls: Little Groot is now fully grown. SWNS via SWNS

Headkeeper Trystan Williams, 49, said: “The snowy owls are one of the larger owls in the world. They need to be big to deal with the cold weather.

“It resembles Darth Vader’s mask it’s been said, while the Scot owl is a very small bird.

“Groot’s only a month old, but he’s already at full size.

“They need to be small to be able to move away from danger very quickly, as they get attacked by other predators often.

“They are camouflaged to look like part of a tree, like a little twig.

“The snowy owl is grey instead of white, so they look like little rocks in the nest to hide from predators.

“There’s no other of either species in Britain. Both are declining.

“The snowy owl used to be common but it’s now classed as vulnerable, one step away from endangered – possibly due to climate change. It could also be from people drilling for oil in the Arctic.

“Scots owls are threatened by the use of pesticides.

“Both could be going in the next few weeks if we find them suitable homes.”