A lot of birds are afraid when they wind up at the Wild Bird Fund -- a wildlife rehabilitation center in New York City -- but not Hedwig.

A man brought in the young female snowy owl with what rehabbers believe was a gunshot wound in her shoulder in January, as first reported by the National Audubon Society.

But while many birds become timid and frightened in the unfamiliar environment of the rehab center, Hedwig was defiant.

She did not retreat, Rita McMahon, Wild Bird Fund director, told The Huffington Post. I think she felt she didnt see anything that was a contender. She was lord and mistress.