A live owl resting on a shelf was nearly sold after being mistaken for a decorative item at an antique store in upstate New York . The bird had quietly settled beside a chicken-shaped cookie jar, appearing so still and lifelike that customers initially believed it was part of the store’s display.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation said the incident happened on Feb. 21 in the hamlet of East Durham, about 127 miles north of Manhattan. Customers noticed an object on a shelf that looked strikingly real. Curious shoppers alerted store employees after realizing it might be a real bird.
Environmental conservation police officers soon arrived at the store. They found a brown-and-white owl resting peacefully on the shelf with its eyes closed. Officers carefully picked up the bird without disturbing it. They carried it outside and released it near a wooded area. The owl quickly flew to a nearby tree.
Officials later identified the bird as an eastern screech owl, a small species commonly found across much of eastern North America. Authorities said it remains unclear how the owl entered the store. Officials contacted the store’s owners by email.
Eastern Screech Owls thrive in forests, neighborhoods, and farmland
Eastern screech owls are relatively small birds of prey. Most measure 6 to 10 inches in length and have a wingspan of about 19 to 24 inches. Their feathers can appear gray or reddish-brown, and they are known for their bright yellow eyes.
The species is nocturnal, meaning it is most active at night. During the daytime, eastern screech owls usually rest in quiet places such as tree cavities, which help them stay hidden from predators.
These adaptable birds live in a wide range of environments. They can be found in forests, parks, farmland, and even suburban neighborhoods. Their diet includes insects, mice, frogs, small birds, and other small animals.
Wildlife officials safely returned the owl to its natural surroundings, where it quickly disappeared into the nearby trees.
