This week, the annual installation of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center was underwhelming. The tree seemed slightly scrawny to a lot of folks who were commenting on social media about the tree, but inside the scrawny interior of this big tree was hiding a tiny winged and very adorable stowaway. The stowaway, as it turns out, was a tiny little Saw-whet owl that had apparently hitched a ride inside the tree when it was cut down earlier this week in Oneonta, New York. The little guy has been nicknamed, appropriately, “Rockefeller,” and he’s recovering at a wildlife facility located about two hours from the center.
The little own was discovered when the tree was being transported, Ravensbeard Wildlife Center said on Facebook. The people who discovered the little owl sheltering in the tree’s branches were employees of the company that gets the tree moved from where it’s cut down to Manhattan. An employee’s wife called the center to report that there was a “baby owl” in need of assistance. However, the little owl isn’t a baby at all. The Saw-whet owl is one of the smallest owl species in the area, and they’re about the size of a soda can when fully grown, reports Cornell University’s Lab of Ornithology.
Ladies and Gentlemen – the Christmas tree has arrived at Rockefeller Center in NYC. Left pic is how it looked when it was cut down. Right pic is how it arrived.
Welcome to 2020. pic.twitter.com/bKSq87BVP1— đź’™ Depoetic (@Depoetic) November 17, 2020
To lose his home while he was in it had to be distressing for the little owl, so since his arrival at Ravensbeard, he’s reportedly been eating lots of comfort food, mice, while also getting a lot of rest and relaxation, the center reports. They say his eyes are bright and the little guy is in good condition, especially considering all that he’s been through. When he’s ready to take flight again, he’ll be released on Ravensbeard’s grounds, where he’ll have plenty of trees to choose from when he wants to find a new home.
i will allow the saw whet owl found in the rockefeller center christmas tree to live rent free in my mind for the rest of my life pic.twitter.com/zchE6w9BO6
— manicpixiememequeen (@mpmemequeen) November 19, 2020
These birds are migratory, so it’s completely possible for him to adapt to his new home.
As for the sad-looking Christmas tree, it still has to be decorated and it should make a fine Christmas tree. Watch the news video about this story below.
