Any night owl who has spent 30 years of working all day would be dreaming of retirement.
Such is the case for Ernie, an owl with a “big personality”, who will be quitting after delighting guests at Warwick Castle for three decades.
He has been soaring and swooping around the West Midlands attraction’s turrets on average for twice a day, every day, for 30 years.
An African Verreaux’s eagle owl with a wingspan of 165cm, Ernie has taken flight about 20,000 times and most recently starred in the Falconer’s Quest, the UK’s largest bird of prey show.
He will be performing his final flight over the castle during the Easter holidays before retiring to the Yorkshire Dales with Hawk Experience, which organise the bird handling displays at the castle.
Liam Bartlett, the general manager of the historical attraction, said: “Ernie is a much-loved member of staff at Warwick Castle. “He has a big personality, is often stubborn and likes to freestyle his shows, but that’s why we love him.
“We’re excited for him to spend his twilight years in the stunning Yorkshire Dales with other feathered friends.”
The Verreaux’s eagle owl is the largest owl species in Africa and the only type to have pink eyelids.
