The Story Of The Tiny Rescued Owl Who Was Discovered Stowed Away Inside Last Year’s Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree After It Arrived In NYC
New York, New York. The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is one of the most exciting parts of celebrating the holidays in New York City.
The tradition first started back in 1931, while Rockefeller Center was still in the process of being built.
Workers who were part of the enormous construction project decided to put their money together to buy the tree, which they then decorated with things their families had made.
In the years that followed, a Christmas tree continued to be purchased and decorated for the center.
The trees got bigger and more popular as the years went on, and in 1951 NBC put the tree lighting on TV (it didn’t become a regular broadcast occurrence until 1997 though).
Last year, the Norway Spruce sitting in Rockefeller Center was selected from Oneonta, New York, and it came with an unexpected surprise.
A small owl was discovered inside the tree after it arrived in New York City.
Facebook; Ravensbeard Wildlife Center shared the above photo of the small owl after he was found
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A man who is employed by the company in charge of transporting the Christmas tree to Rockefeller Center noticed that there was a tiny little owl sitting in the tree.
He couldn’t just leave the small creature alone in there right in the middle of Manhattan, so he knew he had to take the owl home.
He called his wife before he did, and she ended up reaching out to Ravensbeard Wildlife Center in Saugerties, New York.
She asked if they could rehab the owl, and they shared the incredible story on their Facebook page.
“Yesterday morning, I received a phone call from someone who asked if we take in owls for rehabilitation,” the Ravensbeard Wildlife Center wrote on Facebook.
“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.”
Facebook; pictured above is a close-up of the owl
“She said he works for the company that transports and secures the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center.”
Ravensbeard Wildlife Center agreed to help the owl, and they drove to meet the man and his wife. Once the owl was in their hands, they realized it was a Saw-whet owl, which is the tiniest of all the owls seen in the Northeast.
“Back at Ravensbeard Wildlife Center, we’ve given him fluids and are feeding him all the mice he will eat,” Ravensbeard continued.
“It had been three days since he ate or drank anything. So far so good, his eyes are bright and seems relatively in good condition with all he’s been through.”
“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.”
The tiny owl was given the fitting name of Rockefeller, and you can donate to Ravensbeard so they can continue their amazing work here!
Facebook; pictured above the owl sits inside a cardboard box before arriving at Ravensbeard Wildlife Center
More About:Animals
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