Close Call Collision

A Northern Pygmy Owl with brown and cream feathers is wrapped in a white towel, held by a pair of blue gloves the way someone might hold a mug of coffee on a winter's day. The owl's expression is comical, in part thanks to: a) feather markings that look like raised eyebrows; b) an open mouth that practically says "I am surprised"; and c) the owl's whole face in a state of recoil, looking down his beak at the camera. The background is out of focus and indistinct—dark blue with some bokeh shapes. From the original post we can see it is the torso of the rehabber with a clip-on walkie-talkie, blue undershirt, and white text displaying workplace details.

29th of Owltober!

Original post – 19 Jan 2025
by Dove Lewis
located in Portland, Oregon
Website | Instagram | Facebook

Original text:

It’s a bird, it’s a plane… Oh, it’s just a tiny adorable pygmy owl! 😲🦉

This little guy had a close call with a car window but is feeling much better after a quick check-up from our team! Thanks to a kind-hearted Good Samaritan who brought him in, he got the care he needed—no injuries, just a bit dazed from his wild ride!

A more dignified photo of our friend, eyes yellow and dilated. He has large *nares* (the bird equivalent of nostrils), which look like a second pair of eyes. The owl is spotted all over, light cream on brown plumage. A second rehabber stands in the background, out of focus in a maroon shirt.
A mid-shot of the Pygmy Owl in profile, perched on the towel with legs secured by the first rehabilitator. Medical items and a computer display are to the back. There's a slight rip in the thumb of the blue glove, and while we can only speculate what caused this, it is noteworthy the puncture is within pecking distance of the owl. From this side angle we see the owl's top beak is curved downwards, and overhangs the lower in a sharp hook. The owl has a stretched oval shaped body, like a feathery gherkin with a tail. The white towel, as it turns out (literally), is printed on one side in a patchwork of black text with various thicknesses and styles. Being bottom-side up however, most of it obscured save the folded-over edge where `SING` and `JOY` are legible words. Elsewhere, `FRIEND`, and `IMAGINE` or `IMAGINATION` are other contenders.

Because of you, this tiny owl is back on his feet (or talons)! Your support of our Wildlife Program makes care like this possible for wildlife in need. ♥️

Link to donate to Dove Lewis for those willing and able.

💛🦉

SpeciesCommon NameMore info
Glaucidium californicumNorthern Pygmy OwlWiki link

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