From Raptor Rehab of Northern Kentucky
Another weird rescue!
Meet BARR 24-14. We were contacted early last week about an owl stuck in a chimney. The chimney was not capped off and had not been used in many years.
We instructed the finder to open the flue and hoped the bird would come out. One of our volunteers went to the location to help multiple times with no luck. The finder put out a bowl of water and also food for the owl if he came down.
Sure enough, the owl would sneak down into the firebox at night, grab food, and then fly back upward into the chimney.
Finally on Sunday, two of our volunteers went back to the home and after a long period of time, were able to get the bird out.
This owl is very lucky and has no major injuries. Our crew was able to get some soot off of the bird and treat mild dehydration. He will be ready for release later this week and be re-joined with his mate who has been calling for him.
Moral of the story: Make sure your chimneys are capped off so wildlife cannot get stuck inside!
Good as new and ready to go home!
Sounds like he may not have been too upset about being "stuck" in the chimney away from his mate, with easy access to food! Bit of peace and quiet and some free meals, everyone needs a break once on a while.
Lol exactly. It can't be easy being married to an owl!
We seem to romanticize the owls' mating for life, but it seems to be more a very limited tolerance for another's existence than true romance. ๐ฆ๐ฆ
Sounds just the same as marriage to me