Owl Struggling On A Crowded Street Gets Help From Locals

The owl is one of the most outstanding birds in the wild, and they have such unique features that even those who know nothing about types of birds can realize them. This nocturnal bird of prey loves to stay above the ground, so it’s not common to see one near a neighborhood during the daytime.
However, one owl went through a tough day when struggling in the middle of a busy road in Branford, Connecticut. Laura Burban, director of Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter immediately knew there must be a problem when she was informed about the poor bird. “As people were approaching either with vehicles or on foot, the owl would spread its wings out,” Burban shared. “But he would not take off.”

Source: DAN COSGROVE ANIMAL SHELTER

The director thought the carnivorous bird was busy with his meal in the street, but she realized that wasn’t what happened when she saw him. The barred owl was in need of help. “Once we got there, we could tell that the owl had a hurt wing,” Burban said. “He would flip over and put his talons up in the air as if to say, ‘Don’t touch me.’”
The bird was injured, so the rescuers would be able to catch him and bring him to an animal center. However, it’s difficult to approach the owl with a 270-degree field of view without scaring him. “I tried to have him look at the other animal control officer who was with me,” Burban said. “She was trying to do everything in her power to get her attention, but he just didn’t want to let go of locking eyes with me. He knew I was coming in for him.”

Source: DAN COSGROVE ANIMAL SHELTER

Finally, Burban managed to cover the bird with the towel, which made the animal let off guard. “Once the towel was on, he completely relaxed,” Burban noted. Then, the injured owl was brought to a wildlife rehabilitation center, A Place Called Hope, and got checkups. It turned out that there was a problem with his wing.
“He has a pretty bad fracture close to his wrist,” Burban said. “The vet said that it’s not something that can be surgically repaired, so they’re going to wrap it, then wait and see.”
Fortunately, the bird recovered after a few weeks. The fracture is almost healed, and his spirit has returned after some physical therapy. He will be back in his natural habitat soon.

Source: DAN COSGROVE ANIMAL SHELTER

The locals also love to see the sweet owl back in their area. James Cosgrove — the town’s first selectman and grandson to the shelter’s namesake, called Burban after the rescue to ask about the bird’s condition. “He said, ‘I’m calling about my owl! Everybody in the neighborhood has been asking about the owl, wondering if he’s gonna be okay.’”
The owl turned out to be a familiar resident in the neighborhood, and people have witnessed his growth for years. “Everybody knows him,” Burban added. "He’s sort of like a famous owl over there, like the mayor of the neighborhood.” Everyone was happy to learn that the “major” would be able to fly around the area soon. Let’s hope the bird will never have to be helpless in the middle of the street again!
Are owls popular in your region? What do you think about them? Have you ever rescued a bird or any other animals? Share your view with us in the comment below, and don’t forget to subscribe to our site for more fascinating news and stories!