Owls in Towels https://owlsintowels.org/ Thu, 04 Jun 2026 06:17:50 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://owlsintowels.org/content/media/tBNh7to.png Owls in Towels https://owlsintowels.org/ 32 32 Peaches the Masked Owl https://owlsintowels.org/peaches-the-masked-owl/ https://owlsintowels.org/peaches-the-masked-owl/#respond Fri, 22 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://owlsintowels.org/?p=4288
Video transcription

Peaches the owl is tucked inside a light lichen-green towel. Her face is barely visible; eyes are closed and recessed inside the wrap, but her heart-shaped facial disk is distinct, looking the colour and texture of yellow-white fibreglass insulation. Ziggy the wildlife handler is standing in frame cradling the bundle of owl in the crook of his arm like a newborn. The original video is backed by Randy Newman’s You’ve Got a Friend in Me.

Original post – 19 Apr 2026
by Raptor Refuge

located in Kettering, Tasmania, Australia 🇦🇺
Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Original text:

Initial post – 23 Mar 2026

We currently have a sick display bird at the Raptor Refuge and her name is Peaches. Peaches is a very old Tasmanian Masked Owl. She has a little friend to keep her company, Patch. Patch and Peaches have been together for around 10 years now, moving to different aviaries with each other. They’re best friends. For the time being she going to get midnight snacks (and hidden tablets inside them) until she gets better.

Peaches update – 19 April 2026

No two days at the refuge look the same. You never quite know what you’re walking into and honestly, we wouldn’t have it any other way.
We were so grateful to have the team from @wildliferecoveryau visit recently. The work they do, and the support they bring, means more than we can say.
And Peaches, our beautiful Peach. She’s been with us for almost as long as the refuge has existed @ziggy_raptorrefuge grew up alongside her. At some point these birds stop being birds in your care and just become… family. Peaches has always been that.

She had a little infection, so it’s almost been three weeks since she’s been on her antibiotics.

Her recovery is going well and we’ll share a proper update soon. 🖤

Peaches update – 19 May 2026

She’s currently got a midday snack and she’s feeling much better. She’s a lot more active at night time. She’s walking around on the perches a lot more. The vet said all issues are gone, so I’m sure she’d be smiling now if she could.

… as always she is a joy to be around 🦅

Link to donate to Raptor Refuge for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

SpeciesCommon NameMore info
Tyto novaehollandiaeAustralian Masked OwlWiki link
]]> https://owlsintowels.org/peaches-the-masked-owl/feed/ 0 I Was Sprayed by a Skunk https://owlsintowels.org/i-was-sprayed-by-a-skunk/ https://owlsintowels.org/i-was-sprayed-by-a-skunk/#respond Sun, 17 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://owlsintowels.org/?p=4270 A Great Horned Owl is wrapped in a peach towel, the hood of which is seated behind his/her plumicorns; feather tufts that looks like ears and in this case are pointed up and a little matted. In addition to the towel, the owl wears an expression of malcontent, amplified by extra wide pupils and a steep angled brow. Unhand me human or my wrath will be swift.

Original post – 10 Nov 2017
by South Plains Wildlife Rehab

located in Lubbock, Texas, US 🇺🇸
Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Original text:

When you are about to get in the shower and the door bell rings! The Great-horned owl was sprayed by a skunk and had multiple baths. He was blind from the skunk spray. Fortunately on November 16th he was released. A DPS [Department of Public Safety] trooper from Sonora drove the owl to Lubbock when he found him on the side of the road.

Link to donate to South Plains Wildlife Rehab for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

SpeciesCommon NameMore info
Bubo virginianusGreat Horned OwlWiki link
]]> https://owlsintowels.org/i-was-sprayed-by-a-skunk/feed/ 0 Young Collared Scops Owl https://owlsintowels.org/young-collared-scops-owl/ https://owlsintowels.org/young-collared-scops-owl/#respond Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://owlsintowels.org/?p=4250 A young Collared Scops Owl is wrapped in a vanilla towel. She has large black eyes like a pair of obsidian walnuts.

Original post – 11 May 2015
by Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand

located in Phetchaburi, Thailand 🇹🇭
Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

This little extra terrestrial is a Collared Scops Owl at Wildlife Friends, located south of Bangkok, at the north end of the Thai Peninsula.

A close up of our friend, with a cut of pinkish white meat in her beak. We get more detail of her black eyes reflecting the ceiling lights, her pink-lined eyelids, and her feathers in shades of black brown and white, with no easily discernible pattern except a hint of concentric stripes.
The rehabilitator holds the bundle of owl in towel steady with their left hand, while their right emerges from bottom frame to deliver a morsel of meat to the young owl.

We don’t have intake info on the patient but we know they’re exceptionally cute.

The E.T. owl is cloaked in the towel, still, and has her feet raised with talons ready to slice and/or puncture any who dare get close. She has a tiny chunk of food remaining on the tip of her beak.

Congrats to WFFT for their recent 25 year anniversary.

Link to donate to Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

SpeciesCommon NameMore info
Otus lettiaCollared Scops OwlWiki link
]]> https://owlsintowels.org/young-collared-scops-owl/feed/ 0 Lousy Feather Condition https://owlsintowels.org/lousy-feather-condition/ https://owlsintowels.org/lousy-feather-condition/#respond Thu, 07 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://owlsintowels.org/?p=4243 A Spotted Eagle Owl is wrapped in a plain cornflower blue towel. His flattened "ear" tufts and an ovoid shape gives him the silhouette of a rugby ball with a tricorne. And with mouth open, tongue raised and head tilted slightly back, his expression could easily be associated with laughter, but if we're being honest, that should be prepended by "mans". Either way the rehabber is about to bear the brunt of it.

Original post – 05 Mar 2026
by African Raptor Centre

located in Ilanga, South Africa 🇿🇦
Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Original text:

We see a lot of spotted eagle owls coming through Raptor Rescue Rehabilitation Centre, but occasionally one shows up that is fairly unusual. This spottie has extreme feather damage on one wing! We can’t be sure of exactly what happened, but prolonged heavy rain and repeated wet–dry cycles can cause feather vanes to lose their structural integrity. Once the microscopic barbules fail to interlock, the feathers begin to fray and split. For an owl, whose survival depends on silent, efficient flight, this is devastating. Reduced lift and increased noise compromise hunting success, leading to rapid loss of condition.

Extensive damage to the owl's wing

Compounding the problem, this owl was heavily burdened with bird lice. While lice are common in wild birds, heavy infestations further weaken feather structure and worsen deterioration. The infestation has now been treated.

The shafts of the feathers remain intact, but the vane damage is severe enough to prevent effective flight. This owl will remain in rehabilitation until it undergoes moult and completes new feather growth, restoring proper function.

Thanks to Rene from Assagay this bird has a second chance!

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

SpeciesCommon NameMore info
Bubo africanusSpotted Eagle-OwlWiki link
]]> https://owlsintowels.org/lousy-feather-condition/feed/ 0 How to Weigh a Large Bird https://owlsintowels.org/how-to-weigh-a-large-bird/ https://owlsintowels.org/how-to-weigh-a-large-bird/#respond Sun, 03 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://owlsintowels.org/?p=4200
A Great Horned Owl is wrapped in a loose burrito of beige towel. Her ear tufts are flat, making her head look particularly rounded. Her top eyelids are lowered a little, and she has a prominent brow, accented by light brown feathers, giving her yellow eyes an overall perturbed yet stern expression. One pupil is dilated more than the other, which (fun fact!) is something owls can do independently, allowing them to control the amount of light each eye receives.
A pair of fuzzy owl feet are bunched together and talons curled-inwards, rising up and out from a bundle of towel. The rest of the owl is obscured, so it's just feet, emerging from a white polystyrene box on a set of electronic scales.

Photos: NIAMH CARROLL-MARSH and MEGAN ERICKSON

Original post – 12 Dec 2024
by MARS Wildlife Rescue

located in Merville, British Columbia, Canada 🇨🇦
Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Original text:

⚖ Ever wondered how we weigh our larger birds?

Modelled for us by some of our recent owl patients, we weigh our larger birds by safely wrapping them up in a towel (we like to call this ‘burrito-ing’ the patient) and gently placing them claws up in a box. This is all placed on a scale, and we can get accurate weights to help monitor health, while keeping stress levels as low as possible. While it seems like it could be extra stressful for the bird, many birds are able to relax once visual stimulation has been reduced.

Link to donate to MARS Wildlife Rescue for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

SpeciesCommon NameMore info
Bubo virginianusGreat Horned OwlWiki link
]]> https://owlsintowels.org/how-to-weigh-a-large-bird/feed/ 0 Screech Owl at Sweetbriar https://owlsintowels.org/screech-owl-at-sweetbriar/ https://owlsintowels.org/screech-owl-at-sweetbriar/#respond Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://owlsintowels.org/?p=4175
Video transcription

A red-morph Eastern Screech Owl is wrapped in a white and tan striped towel. He has pale golden-green eyes and little ginger triangle-shaped ‘ear’ tufts. If it weren’t for his beak, you’d be forgiven for thinking he were a cat. In this short 3 second clip he lets out a solitary owlp. An owlp is shorthand for owl yelp. Obviously. An apple juice pouch lies flat on the steel countertop behind. A printer whirrs in the background. This has nothing to do with the owl, but it helps with the immersion.

Original post – 03 Mar 2026
by Sweetbriar Wildlife Rehab

located in Smithtown, New York, US
Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Original text:

Volume on-Someone’s not happy to be here. This little eastern screech owl was hit by a car and rescued by Strong Animal Wildlife Rescue league before being brought to our hospital for evaluation. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to gain lift when he tried to fly. He’ll be staying with us for a few weeks while he recovers from his injuries.

We’re hopeful his lady friend will be waiting for him. Before long, they should be preparing to start their owl family.

Eastern Screech-Owl form stable pairs—usually one male with one female, though occasionally one male may pair with two females. Most pairs are monogamous and remain together for life. In some cases, a second female may evict the first, lay her own eggs in the nest, and incubate both clutches.

But, for now, he’s grounded—with a little rest, care, and time, [we] know he’ll be back to cozy tree-top snuggles very soon.

Link to donate to Sweetbriar Wildlife Rehab for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

SpeciesCommon NameMore info
Megascops asioEastern Screech OwlWiki link
]]> https://owlsintowels.org/screech-owl-at-sweetbriar/feed/ 0 Long-Eared in Switzerland https://owlsintowels.org/long-eared-in-switzerland/ https://owlsintowels.org/long-eared-in-switzerland/#respond Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://owlsintowels.org/?p=4127 A pair of lava-lamp orange eyes are the highlight of this Long-eared Owl's face, brighter in tone than the coral orange towel in which he is wrapped. The namesake 'ears' of his species are rabbit-like, curving outwards, but lacking fur and cartilage; they are feathers after all. His real ears are at eye-level, obscured by feathers (and cotton). His beak and eyes are open: slightly and very, respectively. A complete look of indignation.
Rehabilitators at Erminea treat a Long-eared Owl with a dislocated coracoid, posting that they’re doing everything they can to get him back on his feet.


Original post – 28 May 2024
by Centre Erminea

located in Chavornay, Switzerland 🇨🇭
Website | Instagram | Facebook

Original text in (Swiss) French:

🦉 Un autre rapace est arrivé dans notre centre. Cette fois, il s’agit du hibou moyen-duc (Asio otus)🦉.
Il présente une luxation du coracoïde. Il ne peut plus s’envoler, et ne tient pas debout.
🩺 Nous mettons tout en œuvre pour le soigner et le remettre sur patte.

☝ Faisant parti intégrante de l’équilibre des écosystèmes de nos forêts et zones agricoles il est primordial de le conserver. Il régule l’effectif des campagnols de nos champs, étant sa source de nourriture principale.
🌒 Essentiellement nocturne vous ne l’observerez que rarement en journée.

🤓 Nota bene: il a été doté d’une morphologie exceptionnelle pour le rendre silencieux en plein vol ! Il présente sur les bords de ses ailes des sortes de “peignes” composés de barbules (crochets entre plumes) qui réduisent considérablement les sifflements lors de la pénétration dans l’air.

👻 Voila pourquoi c’est un peu le fantôme de nos forêts.
Soutenons cet incroyable rapace !🦉
📖 Référence : Lionel Maumary & co, Le livre des oiseaux

English Translation (via DeepL):

🦉 Another bird of prey has arrived at our centre. This time, it is a long-eared owl (Asio otus)🦉.
It has a dislocated coracoid. It can no longer fly and cannot stand up.
🩺 We are doing everything we can to treat it and get it back on its feet.

☝As it plays a vital role in maintaining the balance of our forest and agricultural ecosystems, it is essential that we protect it. It helps control the vole population in our fields, as voles are its main source of food.
🌒 Being primarily nocturnal, you will rarely spot it during the day.

🤓 Note: it has been blessed with an exceptional anatomy that makes it virtually silent in flight! The edges of its wings feature a sort of ‘comb’ made up of barbs (hooks between the feathers) that significantly reduce the whistling sound as it cuts through the air.

👻 That’s why it’s a bit like the ghost of our forests.
Let’s support this incredible bird of prey!🦉
📖 Reference: Lionel Maumary & co, The Book of Birds

Link to donate to Erminea for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

SpeciesCommon NameMore info
Asio otusLong-eared OwlWiki link
]]> https://owlsintowels.org/long-eared-in-switzerland/feed/ 0 Staring Contest with Boobook https://owlsintowels.org/staring-contest-with-boobook/ https://owlsintowels.org/staring-contest-with-boobook/#respond Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://owlsintowels.org/?p=4091 A brown-feathered Boobook stares intensely at Josh the wildlife rehabilitator from inside a cyan-towel wrap. Josh holds the burritowl in one hand while [out of frame] administering chicken hearts from a pair of forceps in the other. The owl's green eyes glow nicely the indoor lighting, though he does not look particularly glowing in temperament. Yet happy enough to chow down before being set free to the night 🌙

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 💛

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

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

SpeciesCommon NameMore info
Ninox boobookAustralian BoobookWiki link
]]> https://owlsintowels.org/staring-contest-with-boobook/feed/ 0 Messy-Faced Screech Owl https://owlsintowels.org/messy-faced-screech-owl/ https://owlsintowels.org/messy-faced-screech-owl/#respond Sun, 19 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://owlsintowels.org/?p=4043 A gray-morph Eastern Screech Owl has eyes like golden kiwifruit. Her feathers fuzzily fluctuate between shades of ashy white and black granite. She's wrapped in a white towel, or, it would be white if not for the spillage of contents from her most recent meal; a mess of mouse juice soaking across her beak, chin bristles, and towel. Culinary etiquette aside, she's cute as a button.

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.

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

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

SpeciesCommon NameMore info
Megascops asioEastern Screech OwlWiki link
]]> https://owlsintowels.org/messy-faced-screech-owl/feed/ 0 Three Surgeries Later https://owlsintowels.org/three-surgeries-later/ https://owlsintowels.org/three-surgeries-later/#respond Wed, 15 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 https://owlsintowels.org/?p=3885 A bright-eyed BUOW, or Burrowing Owl if you're not into the whole brevity thing, is wrapped in a baby blue fabric, held in the thick-gloved hand of a rehabilitator. The owl's eyes are lemon yellow, and his/her plumage is white across the eyebrows and chin, and tan to dark brown everywhere else, featuring light speckles across the forehead. The wrap forms a high upturned collar like Dracula. Dracowla? Draculowl? We'll keep working on that.

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!


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

💛🦉

SpeciesCommon NameMore info
Athene cuniculariaBurrowing OwlWiki link
]]> https://owlsintowels.org/three-surgeries-later/feed/ 0 Blue-Bandaged Screech Owl https://owlsintowels.org/blue-bandaged-screech-owl/ https://owlsintowels.org/blue-bandaged-screech-owl/#respond Tue, 07 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://owlsintowels.org/?p=3869 A grey, black and white Screech Owl with the faintest tinges of tan here and there, is cloaked in a white towel. The most colourful part of the photo is the blue bandage around his right leg. His plumicorns (raised tufts that look like ears) are at full mast, and his talons are clenched. His eyes are grey-green, dilated, and express a sentiment best described as nope-nope-not-happy.

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.

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

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

SpeciesCommon NameMore info
Megascops asioEastern Screech OwlWiki link
]]> https://owlsintowels.org/blue-bandaged-screech-owl/feed/ 0 Just the Back and Sides https://owlsintowels.org/just-the-back-and-sides/ https://owlsintowels.org/just-the-back-and-sides/#respond Tue, 31 Mar 2026 23:00:00 +0000 https://owlsintowels.org/?p=3864 A Saw-whet Owl is wrapped in a textured vanilla towel, held upright by the spread digits of a rehabilitator in aqua-blue scrubs. The owl's eyes are dilated, and lids relaxed, giving an expression of sedate nonchalance. Irises appear as half rings of cadmium yellow. The shape of the wrap is trapezoidal (a wrapezoid?), or in 3D a frustum, which combined with the owl's feathery orb of a head makes an outline like a chess pawn, or an old-timey keyhole. Or a patron at the barber.

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.❤❤❤

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

SpeciesCommon NameMore info
Aegolius acadicusNorthern Saw-whet OwlWiki link
]]> https://owlsintowels.org/just-the-back-and-sides/feed/ 0 What Big Eyes You Have https://owlsintowels.org/what-big-eyes-you-have/ https://owlsintowels.org/what-big-eyes-you-have/#respond Tue, 24 Mar 2026 23:00:00 +0000 https://owlsintowels.org/?p=3845
A close-up of a Great Horned Owl wrapped in a vanilla-beige towel and held by a rehabber with thick black gloves. The owl has distinct rictal bristles around her graphite-black beak, and bulbous eyes, lemon yellow in the brightly lit indoor setting. Her top eyelids are 90% open, but the slight droop gives the impression that she is tired or forlorn. Her plumage is barred across the chest, alternating dark-brown and white, with sporadic bursts of caramel.
Same photo but our model owl is looking slightly to the left. There's some big ol' owl feet bottom frame.

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

💛🦉

SpeciesCommon NameMore info
Bubo virginianusGreat Horned OwlWiki link
]]> https://owlsintowels.org/what-big-eyes-you-have/feed/ 0 Grumpy Little Owl https://owlsintowels.org/grumpy-little-owl/ https://owlsintowels.org/grumpy-little-owl/#respond Fri, 20 Mar 2026 23:00:00 +0000 https://owlsintowels.org/?p=3736 A Little Owl is bundled in a baby blue towel on a table with an expression of malcontent. His eyes are squinted and slightly crossed, and match his waxy yellow beak in colour. He appears chinless, recessing his head into his body; eyes at the same level as his shoulders and squashed as though someone had tried resizing him in a Word document and forgot to lock the aspect ratio.

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.

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

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

SpeciesCommon NameMore info
Athene noctuaLittle OwlWiki link
]]> https://owlsintowels.org/grumpy-little-owl/feed/ 0 The Eyes Have It https://owlsintowels.org/the-eyes-have-it/ https://owlsintowels.org/the-eyes-have-it/#respond Tue, 17 Mar 2026 23:00:00 +0000 https://owlsintowels.org/?p=3706 A close-up of a Ruru / Morepork. A fluorescent tube light is reflected in each of her big round shiny eyes; black pupils ringed by irises of honey-yellow. She is wrapped in a light lavender-blue fabric with what looks to be a very soft material and stitch pattern. The Ruru's feathers are dark brown with streaks of tan, and an X-shaped bridge of cream above the beak and between her anime character eyes.

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’.⁠

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

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

SpeciesCommon NameMore info
Ninox novaeseelandiaeMoreporkWiki link
]]> https://owlsintowels.org/the-eyes-have-it/feed/ 0 How to Burrito an Owl https://owlsintowels.org/how-to-burrito-an-owl/ https://owlsintowels.org/how-to-burrito-an-owl/#respond Sat, 14 Mar 2026 23:00:00 +0000 https://owlsintowels.org/?p=3701 An exemplary owl burrito a.k.a. owlrito a.k.a. burritowl. A chocolate brown towel wraps this Barn Owl, forming a tight, upright cylinder. The owl's head, a half sphere dome, protrudes above the hem like a fluffy R2-D2. His eyes are closed, forming a V-shaped crevice in the feathers of his heart-shaped facial disc. The rehabilitator behind -- wearing a black long-sleeve top baring a white clinic logo on the chest -- holds the column of owl the way someone might hold an expensive camera, one hand on the side, and one below.

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:

A grid of photos 3 by 3 showing the steps to wrap an owl in a towel. It starts with our model Barn Owl face-down, legs straight on a flat folded towel on a tabletop, and ends with the rehabilitator sitting on a stool with a perfect burritowl wedged securely between their knees. The benefit of this procedure is the rehabber now has both hands free to administer fluids, food, and medication.

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:

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

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

SpeciesCommon NameMore info
Tyto albaWestern Barn OwlWiki link
]]> https://owlsintowels.org/how-to-burrito-an-owl/feed/ 0 Burrowing Owl ‘Marathon’ https://owlsintowels.org/burrowing-owl-marathon/ https://owlsintowels.org/burrowing-owl-marathon/#respond Sun, 08 Mar 2026 23:00:00 +0000 https://owlsintowels.org/?p=3641 A Burrowing Owl wears a bright green towel or towel-adjacent fabric like a headscarf. His eyes are wide and yellow, with oval pupils reflecting a trio of ceiling lights. Feathers are brown and white, with a thatch of tan across the chest. His rictal bristles around his pale yellow beak are damp and pink, presumably from his latest meal, but due to lack of time / awareness / shame / napkins he has been unable to clean himself for the photoshoot.

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.

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

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

SpeciesCommon NameMore info
Athene cuniculariaBurrowing OwlWiki link

]]> https://owlsintowels.org/burrowing-owl-marathon/feed/ 0 Saw-Whet Studies https://owlsintowels.org/saw-whet-studies/ https://owlsintowels.org/saw-whet-studies/#respond Sun, 01 Mar 2026 23:00:00 +0000 https://owlsintowels.org/?p=3636 An amber-eyed Saw-Whet Owl is contained in a draw-string pouch with a green and white zigzag pattern. On the table behind and out of focus is a pair of red handles, most likely belonging to a banding tool used for attaching a metal bracelet to the owl's foot. Researchers assign each band a unique code to help study species movements, migration and population estimates, and contribute to conservation efforts. The bands are lightweight and do not impact the owl's natural day-to-day living.

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

💛🦉

SpeciesCommon NameMore info
Aegolius acadicusNorthern Saw-whet OwlWiki link
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