A tiny bird was survived after a 170-mile road trip from Oneonta, New York. The owl was found by the worker of the company that transports and secures the Rockefeller Christmas tree. He noticed a small brown and white bird before the tree (a 75-foot Norway spruce) was delivered to Manhattan.
“Yesterday morning, I received a phone call from someone who asked if we take in owls for rehabilitation,” told Ellen Kalish from Ravensbeard Wildlife Center.
“I replied, “yes we do,” there was silence for a moment and she said, “OK, I’ll call back when my husband comes home, he’s got the baby owl in a box tucked in for the long ride.”
“I asked where her husband was when he found the owl. She said he works for the company that transports and secures the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center.”
After Kalish opened the box and looked at the owl, she realized that it wasn’t a baby owl but an adult northern saw-whet owl. As is well known, it is one of the smallest owls and its habitat is wooded across North America.
The owl was named Rockefeller and brought to the Ravensbeard Wildlife Center, where he was recovered quickly.
“Back at Ravensbeard Wildlife Center, we’ve given him fluids and are feeding him all the mice he will eat. It had been three days since he ate or drank anything.”
“His eyes are bright and seems relatively in good condition with all he’s been through,” Ravensbeard Wildlife Center added.
The representatives of the wildlife center also claimed that the owl will be released back into the wild.
“Once he checks in with the vet and gets a clean bill of health, he’ll be released to continue on his wild and wonderful journey.”