Unexpected Guest in a Florida Home
Last month, an eastern screech owl found a cozy spot he couldn’t resist. One morning, as a Florida homeowner opened her back door, the owl swooped inside, perched on a curtain rod, and promptly fell asleep.
While many bird species live in the area, this was the first time the homeowner had ever had a bird fly into her house.
Homeowner Gives Owl a Chance to Leave
She decided to give the owl some time to exit on his own. She opened the back door and several windows, then left the house, hoping the bird would find its way outside.
Several hours later, the screech owl was still snoozing. Concerned, the homeowner called Wild Florida Rescue (WFR) for assistance.
Owl Goes on a Self-Guided Tour
When the rescuer arrived, the owl woke up and startled at the sight of a net.
“When our rescuer attempted to use a net, the owl flew into another room and then into a second room,” said Heather Pepe-Dillon, COO and cofounder of WFR.
The bird took a short, self-guided tour through the home before landing on a bedroom mirror. The rescuer safely captured the owl in the net without incident.
A Sassy, Unimpressed Owl
“During handling, it remained alert and delivered some unmistakable side-eye,” Pepe-Dillon said. “Clearly unimpressed, as if to say, ‘Excuse me, I was just getting comfortable here.’”
Fortunately, the owl suffered no injuries during its indoor adventure and was released later that same day.
Homeowner Keeps Watch for Nesting Season
With nesting season approaching, the homeowner plans to keep an eye out for any other opportunistic owls looking for a cozy spot to rest or nest.