Original post – 22 Feb 2026
by On Ya! Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation
(a.k.a. Josh Neille)
(a.k.a. The Wombat Guy)

located in Gippsland, Victoria, Australia
Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Original text:

Here we are legends with one of my favourite little nocturnal birds, the tiny but mighty Boobook owl One of the smallest owls we get around here, but don’t let the size fool you… what they lack in bulk they make up for in power and needle-sharp gear

I swear the eyes of an owl hit different. They don’t just look at you… they stare straight through your soul like they know every bad decision you’ve ever made Constant silent judgement. That’s exactly why I wrapped this little bloke up like a tiny owl burrito Just to break the tension… and also to protect my fingers from those razor-sharp talons.

This little guy came in via the vets after being found on the road following some road trauma. No wing damage thankfully, just a rough day and a bit stunned. After some food, electrolytes, and specialised fluids, he was looking bright enough to give the wild another crack

We had a bit of bonding time out in the shed, a few intense staring contests, built a bit of trust… then it was time to go. I didn’t want to keep him in care longer than necessary because Boobooks can stress pretty easily.

Release went perfectly. Straight back into the night where he belongs Another successful mission.

Only ones not impressed were my two hand-raised ringtail possums out the back Birds of prey in their postcode always causes a bit of drama… but that’s nature. These little owls would happily snack on possums or gliders in the wild, so everyone’s gotta stay sharp out there.

Such incredible little critters. Tiny, fierce, full of attitude, and eyes that could interrogate a suspect without saying a word
Onya legends

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Link to donate to On Ya! Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

Original post – 31 May 2025
by Red Wolf Sanctuary
located in Rising Sun, Indiana, US
Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Original text:

I don’t have a name because I plan on being released. I feel not so great right now. This towel is warm. I was just fed. My face is still messy. Red Wolf is taking great care of me. I’m gonna take a nap now.

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Link to donate to Red Wolf Sanctuary for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

Original post – 19 Nov 2020
by Ojai Raptor Center

located in Oak View, California, US
Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Original text:

Burrowing Owls are listed as a species of special concern in California and endangered in other parts of their range. Their decline is mostly due to loss of habitat but pesticides (both insecticides and rodenticides) are also to blame. The use of these poisons not only decimate a large portion of insects that these owls rely on for food, but rodenticides also reduce the number of natural excavators that create the ground burrows they nest in, like ground squirrels.

Burrowing Owls are known as partial migrants here in California and will move about the State to their breeding grounds where they nest in colonies. ORC typically receives just a few Burrowing Owl patients a year during these migrations, but some years we’ve received only one or none at all. We have seen an increase of annual intakes over the past 3 years and this Fall we’ve received 4 since September! While sadly not all of them made it, we hope this is a good sign for the species as conservation efforts are underway.

The patient pictured has undergone 3 surgeries to repair extensive damage to the soft tissue of the left wing after the owl was entangled in barbed wire. Luckily his/her prognosis is looking good for recovery and release!

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Patient Update: Burrowing Owl vs. Barbs

This Burrowing Owl (BUOW) that was admitted for barbed wire injuries is now all healed up after weeks of treatment!

Link to donate to Ojai Raptor Center for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

Original post – 07 Jan 2025
by Hobbitstee Wildlife Refuge

located in Nanticoke, Ontario, Canada
Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Original text:

This little screech owl went after the wrong prey.

He must have stuck is foot in a gap to grab a mouse and unfortunately ended up wedging is leg in the gap degloving a large [area] of his right leg.

Fortunately he didn’t break his leg and his wound should heal in due time.

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Link to donate to Hobbitstee Wildlife Refuge for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

Original post – 21 Mar 2020
in Seattle, Washington, US
Photo: ANNIE MARIE MUSSELMAN
website | instagram

Original text:

Here is a rescued northern saw-whet owl at a wildlife rehab center near Seattle where I worked and photographed for 7 years.

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xo owlsintowels

Original post – 27 Sep 2025
by A Place Called Hope

located in Killingworth, Connecticut, US
Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Original text:

Owl In A Towel…
Don’t know HOO started this trend but… here ya go!

Link to donate to A Place Called Hope for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

Original post – 29 May 2022
by South Essex Wildlife Hospital

located in Orsett, Essex, United Kingdom
Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Original text:

a few snaps of recent patients, just a few of the thousand that have arrived this month.

a little [owl] who fell down a chimney was dirty and dehydrated but soon on his way back home.

In the comments it appears South Essex Wildlife Hospital called upon the chimney-owners to release (upon a clean bill of health) the Little Owl back to where he was found:

We got the owl home safe and sound and took him out to the back garden where we let him go. It was so lovely to see him fly off.

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Link to donate to South Essex Wildlife Hospital for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

Photo: IAIN MCGREGOR

Original post – 02 Nov 2021
taken at South Island Wildlife Hospital

located in Christchurch, New Zealand
Website | Instagram | Facebook

Original text:

Iain McGregor captures this adorable shot of a morepork/ruru being cared for at Christchurch’s South Island Wildlife Hospital in Episode Two of the @nzstuff series ‘This Is How It Ends’.⁠

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Link to donate to South Island Wildlife Hospital for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

Wrapping owls like burritos helps keep them motionless so they can be more easily be examined, treated, fed, and medicated by a wildlife carer.

See How to Wrap an Owl for a detailed step-by-step procedure:

Source: How to towel-wrap an owl for single handed re-hydration or force-feeding – LEAFLET No 51 [PDF] by Barn Owl Trust, published 16 Dec 2014

located in Ashburton, UK
Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

A big thank you to the The Barn Owl Trust for authoring the above guide. See their further resources on owl care, including:

• How to Pick up an Owl
• How to Check an Owl for Injuries

Link to donate to Barn Owl Trust for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

Original post – 02 Mar 2021
by Wild At Heart Raptors
located in Cave Creek, Arizona, US
Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Original text:

Who doesn’t like a little owl in a towel? Little “Marathon” was receiving a laser treatment this morning for a leg injury when one of our volunteers snapped this cute picture.

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Link to donate to Wild At Heart Raptors for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

Blue Ridge Audubon recently awarded a grant to study Northern Saw-whet Owl migration in the Appalachian Mountains. Funding will provide researchers with GPS and radio tags to track this secretive forest species.

Photo: SEAN GRAESSER

Original post – 18 Dec 2025
by Blue Ridge Audubon
located in Asheville, North Carolina, US
Website | Instagram | Facebook

Link to donate to Blue Ridge Audubon for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

Photo: SIERRA K

This Burrowing Owl was pictured shortly before hurricane Milton flooded the wildlife hospital at CROW campus in Sanibel, FL. Animals and personnel had to evacuate and continue triage (!) at a temp site until the causeway reopened and electricity was restored.

Original post – 10 Oct 2024
by CROW – Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife

located in Sanibel, Florida, US
Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Link to donate to CROW – Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

Original post – 18 Mar 2025
by Wildside Rehabilitation and Education
located in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, US
Website | Instagram | Facebook

Original text:

Renesting a Great Horned Owlet was a success! The nest and baby were blown down in the wind storm. The finder called Wildside and Angel and Eleanor went to the rescue! The mom and baby were on the ground together, so we had a good idea that renesting would work!

We first needed a nest, then Jonah as the climber, went into action.

Baby was checked out, warmed and put into the nest once the nest was secured to the tree. Mom owl returned to the make shift nest within 2 hours!

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Link to donate to Wildside Rehabilitation and Education for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

Believe it or not, these are all different owls, rescued in the same year at Owls and Birds of Prey Rescue

Owls and Birds of Prey Rescue
located in Gestingthorpe, United Kingdom
Website | Donation link

Each owl is named for their rescue locations below:

Tawny Owl – FOXEARTH
28 Nov 2024
Monday evening brings yet another Tawny Owl to my door

A Tawny Owl was rescued from the middle of a road after being stunned by traffic while hunting. The bird suffered a slightly closed eye and concussion but is recovering well with hydration, painkillers, and hand-feeding.

Tawny Owl – SALING
17 June 2024
Another Tawny Owl in need of help arrives from Saling

A juvenile Tawny Owl was found confused and emaciated in a field, appearing wobbly and uncoordinated. Though thin from struggling in the wild, the owl is showing hopeful signs by eating well and enjoying the warmth of a hot water bottle.

Tawny Owl – STISTED
10 Sep 2024
Yet another new arrival

Found sitting in the road late at night, this Tawny Owl is being treated for concussion and a swollen left eye likely caused by a passing vehicle. Despite the head trauma, the bird maintains a strong appetite while receiving specialised care and pain relief.

Tawny Owl – GOSFIELD
02 Sep 2024
New arrival in the early hours of Saturday morning

A female Tawny Owl was brought in after colliding with a van windscreen in the early morning hours. Veterinary checks confirmed no internal eye damage, and she is currently being treated with ointment for external swelling while she regains her strength.

Tawny Owl – BURES
16 Aug 2024
New arrival of an injured Tawny Owl from Bures

This Tawny Owl was discovered in the road and left on a doorstep wrapped in a high-vis jacket after suffering a glancing blow from a vehicle. The bird arrived with facial blood and a damaged eye, requiring immediate cleaning, medication, and close monitoring.

Tawny Owl – HORRINGER
17 Apr 2024
Early morning call about an injured Tawny Owl

Rescued from the path of a heavy lorry, this Tawny Owl showed symptoms of concussion after being clipped by a car. She is currently resting in a large cage with a hot water bottle and is accepting food willingly.

Tawny Owl – HUNDON
31 Jan 2024
Training Day

A resident Tawny Owl served as a well-behaved candidate for a training session on how to handle and hand-feed adult raptors. The owl is progressing toward independence and has begun feeding itself overnight between assisted sessions.

Link to donate to Owls and Birds Of Prey Rescue for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

Original post – 09 Jul 2015
by Owl Park San Vigilio
located in South Tyrol, Italy
Website | Instagram | Facebook

Owl Park San Vigilio is a zoological park in northern Italy. They recently reposted this Spotted Eagle-Owl with the caption:

Che c’è? non avete mai visto un gufo dopo la doccia? Un po’ di privacy grazie!

English translation:

What’s the matter? Haven’t you ever seen an owl after a shower? A little privacy, please!

xo owlsintowels

Bonus pic:

Another #SuperbOwl for you this Sunday, this one a Screech Owl from New England (Massachusetts). He was freed from a chimney cavity and needed an eye wash from all the soot. A good reminder to install chimney caps! Full story below:

Original post – 12 Nov 2021
by New England Wildlife

located in South Weymouth, Massachusetts, US
Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Original text:

Move over Santa, you have some competition this year. This Eastern Screech owl decided to spread some cheer when he flew down the chimney of some local residents. Once inside he became trapped and was stuck perching on top of the closed flu vent. Thankfully he did not stay quiet about his discontent, and managed to alert the homeowners by loudly hooting throughout the night. They called us for assistance and this morning we dispatched our rescue team to help.

After locating the bird it was clear he could not exit on his own, and he made it quite clear that he was not thrilled with his predicament. After a brief tussle in the chimney we were able to safely retrieve him and transport him for care . Back at our hospital he received a full veterinary exam and both owl and Zak had their eyes flushed because of all the soot they kicked up in the process. The owl is in remarkably good shape considering his ordeal, and is now convalescing in an indoor shift cage for the evening. After a short observation period we will flight test him, and if all goes well we will release him back to the wild where he will hopefully stick to delivering presents the owl fashion way.

Believe it or not, this is the second chimney-owl we have treated in as many weeks. Screech owls are cavity nesters, which means they make their homes in hollowed out trees and other small dark places. Chimneys can often look an appealing option until they get inside and don’t have appropriate substrate to climb out. Open chimneys can also attract squirrels, mice, and raccoons who are in the market for a safe place to nest and have their young. This can pose a number of health risks for the animals and the homeowners and often results in costly repairs. Purchasing a chimney cap for your home is a cheap and easy way to exclude wildlife and ensure you do not have any unwanted visitors. Don’t worry however, we hear that chimney caps do not work on Santa – Just wildlife and grinches

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Link to donate to New England Wildlife Center for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

Photo: JAY WIGGS

A #SuperbOwl for you this Sunday, from near Seattle, Washington State.

Original post – 31 Oct 2024
by West Sound Wildlife Shelter

located in Bainbridge Island, Washington US
Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Original text:

This Barred owl was found by a kind member of the public on the ground in their backyard. After carefully picking up this beautiful creature, they were able to get him up to us where we’ve been working tirelessly to provide the best care possible. After some medication and a stomach full of food, his fire has started coming back. His release is on the horizon!

Barred owls are known for their distinctive call often described as “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?”. As we rapidly approach the colder months, listen closely for your local Barred owl looking for a mate and nesting place.

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Link to donate to West Sound Wildlife Shelter for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

Photo SHANNA ROSE, Team Leader at The Nest Te Kōhanga

This resilient Ruru / Morepork was carefully treated for flaky skin and readied for release back to where he was found, thanks to brilliant work and coordination between Wellington Zoo and Wildbase Recovery.

Original post – 28 Apr 2021
by The Nest Te Kōhanga at Wellington Zoo

located in Wellington, New Zealand
Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

in coordination with Wildbase Recovery

located in Palmerston North, New Zealand
Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Original text by Wellington Zoo:

It’s an exciting afternoon for our Vet team at The Nest Te Kōhanga as we prepare to release this gorgeous Ruru back to the wild!
You may remember this wee face as this Ruru recently became an internet sensation after needing to have a special bath at Wildbase to clear some flaky skin.

Photos Wildbase Recovery

This little manu [flying creature] first came into our care as a nestling on Boxing Day after he was found on the ground with wounds on his feet and he had a fractured wing tip. The Ruru responded well to treatments and supportive care and headed off to our friends at Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery earlier in January, where he could be with a group of other baby Ruru.

Photo SHANNA ROSE, Team Leader at The Nest Te Kōhanga

The Ruru is now considered to be a sub-adult and he’s ready to spread his wings! Our Vet team will be heading out to Eastbourne this afternoon, where he was originally found, and they’ll be releasing him at dusk.

Links to donate (for those willing and able):

xo owlsintowels