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 🇦🇺
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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

💛🦉