3rd of Owltober!

October is Spring for Australians and on this side of the Equinox (and Tropic of Capricorn) the days are getting noticeably longer, lighter and warmer: a time for planting pumpkins rather than harvesting them. And yet, it is still very much a scary season, for Australia is home to arguably one of the most frightening creatures on the planet: the Australian Magpie.

Indeed, it’s nesting season for Magpies, and these guys (and it’s almost always the guys) will guard their territory like it’s the last tub of Vegemite during a global shortage. For a few weeks of the year, a small but aggressive contingent will dive at anything they see as a threat. Reports of Magpies swooping at cyclists is common – there’s a whole website for registering attacks at magpiealert.com so you can plan your commute around these fierce protectors.

Owls, as it turns out, are not immune to the beaks and claws of Magpies. The Australian Boobook pictured above was a wildlife patient at South Oakleigh Wildlife Shelter after an attack from a Magpie mob. Not much more info is in the original post, but it’s a good reminder for Australians to pack their safety sunglasses and wide brim hats when heading into the suburban wilderness. And also not to blame the Magpies, they’re just following their nature, and trying to raise their young in a challenging environment.

Take care Aussie creatures, be you feathered or not.

Original post – 18 Apr 2024
by South Oakleigh Wildlife Shelter (SOWS)

located in South Oakleigh, Victoria, Australia 🇦🇺
Website | Instagram | Facebook

Link to donate to SOWS for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

Original post – 29 Jun 2026
by Mosswood Wildlife

located in Koroit, Victoria, Australia 🇦🇺
Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Original text:

Boobook recovery!
This Boobook owl was found on the side of the road by a keen eyed driver who knew something didn’t seem right. He went back, scooped up the [concussed] owl and brought him to Mosswood. The Boobook was assessed, given some meds and time to rest!
Nearly 1 week on and his eye is looking vastly improved, won’t be long now and he can be released back home ❤️‍🩹🦉

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Link to donate to Mosswood Wildlife for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

Original post – 29 Sep 2023
by Boobook Wildlife Shelter

located in Heathmont, Victoria, Australia 🇦🇺
Website (Facebook)

Original text:

Initial rescue 28 Sep 2023

Another seriously underweight Eastern Barn Owl. Willy, Barn Owl number 10 from Williamstown. Willy is up and standing this morning. He has made it through the night with supportive care. Fingers crossed for this lovely Owl. The first 48 hours is the critical time to see him pull through.

Follow-up post 29 Sep 2023

Update on Willy… He is now hydrated and eating solid food. Yay Willy….

For those wishing to donate, Boobook Wildlife Shelter accepts transfers to their bank account no. listed on their fb page.

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

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 – 06 Mar 2025
by Boobook Wildlife Shelter

located in Heathmont, Victoria, Australia 🇦🇺
Website (Facebook)

Original text:

Initial rescue – 2 Mar 2025

Sunday night bird rescue.

Southern [Australian] Boobook in Upwey.

Birds on the ground. This usually indicates a problem. If you walk up and get close and they don’t fly off then please call for assistance. Both these birds were on the ground for hours. They were both in urgent need of help.

The Boobook is only a fledgling with some remaining fluffy down on the back of her head. She is severely underweight with a large exoparasite burden.

Fingers crossed for her, so far she is recovering well in rehab.

Update – 5 Mar 2025

Little Upwey Owl, looking better tonight…

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For those wishing to donate, Boobook Wildlife Shelter accepts transfers to their bank account no. listed on their fb page.

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

16th of Owltober!

Original post – 24 Jul 2023
posted by Hume Libraries
featuring work by The Wildlife Rescuers Inc.

located in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 🇦🇺
Website | Instagram | Facebook

Original text:

Look whooo decided to pop by at Craigieburn Library! This poor thing was being chased by crows and flew straight into the workroom glass at Craigieburn Library! Sandra, Library Officer, promptly collected them, made them safe, and popped them in a box, whilst calling Wildlife Rescuers to see where to take them. She delivered them to a carer on her way home

UPDATE:

The owl has recovered well and is eating mice happily. They will be moved into a big aviary and then released at night back in Craigieburn.

Link to donate to The Wildlife Rescuers Inc. for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

10th of Owltober!

Original post – 29 Jul 2022
by Gumbuya Wildlife Park
located in Melbourne, Victoria
Website | Instagram | Facebook

In this behind-the-scenes video, ranger Alicia introduces us to Gumbuya Park’s pair of Masked Owls, Flick & Duncan, as they prepare for their monthly weighing.

In order to weigh our owls, we actually wrap them in the towel. It makes them feel secure, and they stay nice and still for us while we put them on the scales.

The Masked Owl is an endangered species and the second largest nocturnal bird (second to Powerful Owl) in Australia.

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

Original post – 09 Sep 2020 – Source

(Price per kilogram not available ❌)

by Gumbuya Wildlife Park at Tynong North, Victoria

Website | Instagram | Facebook

Photo credit: @the_real_mpp

“Ever wondered how our Rangers perform health checks on our Masked Owls? Here we have Duncan safely wrapped in a towel to be weighed. We think he looks like a little Owl-burrito”

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

Original text:

Healesville Sanctuary will soon be home to a Raptor Rehabilitation Centre which will be dedicated to injured native birds following a $1.8 million funding announcement from the State Government.

The RRC will provide a safe, peaceful environment for birds to build up their flight fitness, so that they not only survive, but thrive once returned to their wild home.

Flight fitness is an essential part of the rehabilitation process for raptors, as they need to be able to catch their prey mid-air and swoop down onto the ground.

Healesville Sanctuary Director Ross Williamson said to be able to return wildlife to its home is something special.

“The Raptor Rehabilitation Centre will allow the team at Healesville Sanctuary to better provide a second chance for injured raptors so they can soar once more,” Mr Williamson said.

Sixty-three raptors received treatment at Healesville Sanctuary’s Australian Wildlife Health Centre (AWHC) during the past financial year, using a temporary flight tunnel to help with rehabilitation. Road trauma related injuries are the most common presentation.

For those willing and able please consider helping fund Healesville Sanctuary at the following DONATION LINK. Your generosity ensures the best possible care for their animal guests.

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

website | facebook | instagram

This young [Australian] Boobook was found on the ground being attacked by magpies. Like all good parents, the magpies were protecting their young so in this instance, our little owl was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Luckily a rescuer came to its aid and the boobook is now in rehabilitation (waiting to be released back where it was found)

For those willing and able please consider helping fund Wildlife Victoria at the following DONATION LINK. Your generosity ensures the best possible care for their animal guests.

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉