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ARLINGTON, Va. (ABC4) — Many Christmas trees are topped with glowing stars. Other tree toppers have wings, feathers, and… a beak?
One family in Virginia got quite the surprise on Wednesday, Dec. 18, when a barred owl flew into their home through the chimney and ended up perched on their Christmas tree.
Chelsea Jones with the Animal Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA) told ABC4.com that the family heard noises in their chimney before they saw the owl on a high chair in the kitchen.
The family tried (unsuccessfully) to remove the owl for about an hour.
The family called in AWLA, and an officer was able to catch the owl and confirm the species, as shown in a video shared by the organization. The officer captured the owl with a net and released it into the yard. Jones confirmed that the owl was unharmed in the process and was able to fly away.
According to the National Audubon Society, a bird conservation organization, barred owls are common in Virginia throughout the year. The owls have a large, round head and dark eyes, as well as horizontal bars on their chest and vertical stripes on their belly.
The owls are “common in deciduous or mixed woods in southeast, but in north and northwest may be found in mature coniferous trees,” the organization said.
On Monday, Dec. 23, Jones said AWLA returned to the family’s home and gifted them plush owls for the children, as well as a new owl tree topper to remember the incident by. Jones commended the family for staying calm during the situation and being in good spirits.
Sorina Trauntvein contributed to this report.