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

💛🦉

Photo: SCOTT POWICK

Original post – 06 Feb 2021
at Currumbin Wildlife Hospital (CWH)

located in Currumbin, Queensland, Australia 🇦🇺
Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Overview:

A native Boobook Owl is administered medical treatment at Australia’s busiest native wildlife clinic.

The owl was pictured in a 2021 article by Gold Coast Bulletin, reporting CWH was struggling to source steady income while patient admissions surged. With over 14,000 annual wildlife admissions and $1.8 million AUD in operating costs, staff were using second-hand or broken equipment and struggling to turn on the lights.

Citing public investment as covering only 30% of costs, CWH managers sought to increase government partnerships at city, state and federal levels, while also proposing to levy property developers to offset costs. However, a spokesperson at Gold Coast City Council said that under existing law, developer charges could “only be used for trunk infrastructure and not distributed to third parties.”

CWH therefore relies heavily on community support, saying “we appreciate every dollar and couldn’t do what we do without the support we receive”.

Link to donate to Currumbin Wildlife Hospital for those willing and able.

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

💛🦉

25th of Owltober!

Boobook sightings in Perth were up due to mild weather and no. of rodents about. A stern warning from Perth Wildlife Hospital: Don’t use rat and mouse poisons! They kill other animals in the food chain such as birds of prey.

See below for some excellent rodent control tips which can be done WITHOUT poison baits 🐁🪤🌱

Original post – 16 Apr 2020
by Perth Wildlife Hospital
located in Malaga, Western Australia
Website | Instagram | Facebook

Original text:

Recently we have received a spike in reports of Boobook sightings around the Perth suburbs. This is most likely due to the weather being mild, perfect for Boobooks to hunt their favourite food – mice and rats!

Please protect our native wildlife and refrain from using poisonous baits to kill rodents that may live on your property. These poisons have the potential to kill our native birds of prey should they consume the poisoned rodents.

Instead, discourage rodent activity on your property by ensuring excess pet food and fallen fruit isn’t accessible, that chook pens and aviaries are rodent-proof, and by ensuring roof and wall cavities are sealed.

We recommend planting native trees to encourage native bird predators to visit your property. Let nature take care of the mice and rats instead, you’ll be surprised by how much activity may happen in your garden without your knowledge!

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Link to donate to Perth Wildlife Hospital for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

Original post – 24 Apr 2019

by Kobble Bird Shelter, in Kobble Creek, Queensland

A juvenile Australian Boobook is being treated for a wing injury.

Note: I reached out and KBS politely declined our offer to include a donation link (and it seems their GoFundMe is currently not accepting donations)

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

Bonus vid:

Original post – 28 Feb 2023

by Wildcare Inc. NT
located in Darwin, Northern Territory Australia

Website | Instagram | Facebook

Boobook owl released back where he was found after a week in care with Dr Arielle for an eye injury.

Normally this is where we include a link to donate to the wildlife clinic, but as of writing this no donation link is active on the Wildcare Inc. site. An archived page has instructions to pay by direct debit or cheque. And (maybe?) they accept PayPal donations at wildcaredarwin [at] gmail.com

I haven’t confirmed any of the above, I’m just sharing what I found… Which is first and foremost, a very good looking owl.

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

Original post – 20 Feb 2025

by Kanyana Wildlife
located in Lesmurdie, Western Australia

Website | Instagram | Facebook

This Australian Boobook was posted in the aftermath of a storm in Perth, with a message from Kanyana Wildlife urging people to watch for animals affected by fallen trees:

We would like to ask that everyone please keep an eye out for injured wildlife, if they are cleaning up fallen branches or out on the road. Falling branches and trees are a serious injury risk for possums, parrots, phascogales, owls and other hollow-dependent wildlife and many may be suffering with fractures, ulcerated corneas, concussions, lacerations and internal injuries. They will be frightened, disoriented, in pain and vulnerable to cars, foxes and pets. Many will have lost their homes.

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

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

Original post – 27 Jul 2025

by Western Australian Seabird Rescue
located in Mandurah​​, Western Australia

Website | Instagram | Facebook

An Australian Boobook stuck in a warehouse was fortunate to be rescued by WA Seabird Rescue and taken to Perth Wildlife Hospital for hydration and much needed TLC.

Link to donate to Western Australian Seabird Rescue for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

Original post – 18 Nov 2020

by RSPCA Queensland
located in Wacol, Australia

Website | Instagram | Facebook

A fledgling Boobook owl from Cleveland, Redlands is being cared for by RSPCA wildlife hospital staff. Full article is paywalled but here’s a snippet…

RSPCA Qld is swamped with almost 100 injured animals every day

THE RSPCA’s wildlife hospital is swamped with patients as almost 100 animals a day are brought into care.

Spring is called trauma season by RSPCA wildlife staff because of the high number of casualties, especially with birds leaving the nest and attacks from cats and dogs, says RSPCA spokesman Michael Beatty.

“Our vets are seeing close to 100 patients a day,” he said. “It’s the breeding and birthing season so animals are on the move and giving birth.”

Link to donate to RSPCA Queensland for those willing and able.

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

Small owl huge spirit

Original post – 12 Mar 2021

by Peggy McDonald at Higher Ground Raptor Centre

located in Southern Highlands, NSW Australia

Website | Instagram | Facebook

This little fellow was found “down the hill” in Kangaroo Valley with the radius in both wings broken.

Reported in to Wildlife Rescue South Coast, my licensing body, he was rescued straight away by Kerstin Schweth and taken to the Southern Highlands Veterinary Centre where Dr Chris Watson did x rays and confirmed the breaks.

Conservative treatment of rest and minimal movement was chosen as both breaks were “nice”, away from the joints and the resulting callous on each wing was not going to impact on the ulna.

He has done very nicely and Dr Lorenzo at Camden re-xrayed and confirmed all is well.

He is now in an IC aviary, wings are symmetrical and extend beautifully.

Next step is flying in a lager aviary in another week…. then back home down the hill when he builds up fitness.

This image was taken when he was on pain meds and I had to gently catch and hold him to administer his drugs, fluids and food over the first few days until he was self feeding.

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Normally this is where a link would be included to donate to Higher Ground Raptor Centre, but at time of writing this, it’s a little unclear where and how they’re accepting $$$, and the site hasn’t been updated in some time. They do have a list of projects they were working towards in 2020, so consider getting in touch with HGRC via their contact page to find ways to help.

Meanwhile, founder Peggy McDonald is involved in an adjacent conservation group in New South Wales called Australian Raptor Care and Conservation Inc.:

ARRC Inc. Website | Facebook

And if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to donate, there’s a Stripe page set up there and I’m sure ARRC Inc. will happily accept financial support.

Update: We have confirmation that yes, those wishing to contribute are welcome to direct their donation to ARCC Inc. and donors are asked to please indicate ‘rehabilitation’ in the reference area. Link to donate to ARCC Inc. for those willing and able to help support Australian raptors and Peggy’s mission.

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

Original post – 26 Jan 2023 – Source
by Wildlife Warriors

located in Beerwah, Queensland, Australia 🇦🇺
Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Wildlife Warriors was established in 2002 by Steve and Terri Irwin. Here’s what they had to say about Winnie the Boobook:

Winnie the orphaned boobook owl was found without a nest or her parents nearby. Thankfully, this cutie doesn’t have any injuries upon being checked out by our expert vet team, and is thriving with her specialised wildlife carer. 🥰 When she’s old enough, Winnie will be released into the wild. 🌸

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

xo owlsintowels

💛🦉

Original post – 12 May 2013 – Source

by Southern Cross Wildlife Care
at Mona Vale, New South Wales
Website | Instagram | Facebook

“SCWC was established solely for the purpose of treating injured, sick and orphaned wildlife. No wild creature in need that passes through our doors is ever rejected. They all receive the care and attention that they deserve.

“Everyone at Southern Cross Wildlife Care volunteers their time and works hard to help each and every individual patient that comes to us. We all travel many hours to get to and from the centre and work very long hours (very often well past midnight). The work is difficult, emotional and physically exhausting. But we do it and will continue to do it because we all feel a deep compassion for the animals and want to provide the best possible veterinary care and management for them so they can be safely returned to the wild.”

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For those willing and able please consider helping fund Southern Cross Wildlife Care 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

💛🦉