He had no idea how the bird got in 🤔
A Surprising Discovery
On New Year’s Day in Amherst, Massachusetts, a man opened his car door and froze in disbelief. Sitting on the passenger seat headrest was an owl, staring right back at him.
All of the car doors and windows were closed, and the bird hadn’t been there the last time the car was driven.
Calling in the Experts
The man immediately contacted Cummington Wildlife, who directed him to Tom Ricardi, a licensed rehabilitator with Massachusetts Bird of Prey Rehab.
Expecting a large bird, Ricardi was surprised when he arrived.
“When I got there, it was a little five-inch owl,” Ricardi recalled. “I kind of laughed.”
How Did the Owl Get Inside?
Ricardi identified the bird as an eastern screech owl. He, like the car owner, was puzzled about how the owl entered the vehicle.
“I’ve had birds go into engine compartments to keep warm,” Ricardi said. “I think he probably came in through the air conditioning vent or something like that, because there was no other logical explanation.”
The question remained: why would the owl go through so much trouble just to sit in a car?
A Starving Owl in Search of Shelter
Ricardi soon found the answer. When he gently picked up the owl, it became clear the tiny bird was starving and extremely weak.
“The first thing they try to do is hide,” Ricardi explained. “Screech owls have a very gentle nature. It’s amazing.”
He speculated that the owl might have hidden under the seat for a couple of days to survive the frigid temperatures.
Rehabilitation and Recovery
Ricardi brought the owl to his rehab facility, where he offered food and fluids. Within hours, the bird began eating on his own, slowly regaining strength.
Once the weather warms, Ricardi plans to release the owl into a more suitable, natural habitat. For now, the little screech owl rests and recovers under his care.
“He’s doing very, very well,” Ricardi said. “He sleeps a lot.” Given the wild adventure he’s already had in 2026, plenty of rest makes perfect sense.