From Rocky Mountain Wildlife Alliance
Sometimes wildlife rehab stories start with a phone call that makes you do a double take... Like, "We have a tiny owl in our pantry."
This little Flammulated Owl came to us last week after being discovered inside a home. While an owl in the pantry sounds almost adorable, we have some concerns about how this little guy ended up there.
The finder has a cat, and given the owl's small size and the circumstances, we can't rule out the possibility that he was caught and carried inside. Thankfully, he made it to us and is now receiving the care he needs.
Flammulated Owls are one of Colorado's smallest owls and are remarkably well adapted to a life that most people rarely get to see. They are primarily nocturnal insect hunters, feeding heavily on moths and other insects, and they spend much of their time quietly tucked away in forested habitats. They are also migratory, traveling south in the fall and returning to Colorado in the spring.
Their small size and quiet nature make them easy to overlook, but that doesn't make them any less important.
This little guy is getting a chance to recover, but his story is also a good reminder of how important it is to keep cats indoors, especially during migration and fledgling season. Even a cat that has never caught anything before can have a major impact on wildlife.
For now, we're happy this tiny owl is safely out of the pantry and back in the care of people who know exactly where he belongs.
Hint: it's definitely not the kitchen.
