Sleepy owl found resting among items on a New York antique store shelf

Shoppers in a quiet upstate New York antique store made an unexpected discovery earlier this month when they spotted a live owl nestled among the vintage merchandise, environmental officials reported Friday.

The unusual encounter occurred on February 21 at The Market Place, an antique store in East Durham, a small hamlet located approximately 127 miles north of Manhattan in New York’s Catskill region. According to the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), customers browsing the store’s collection noticed what they initially thought was a remarkably realistic figurine sitting on a shelf beside a chicken-shaped cookie jar.

Upon closer inspection, the shoppers realized they were looking at an actual owl, prompting them to immediately alert the store’s staff. The owl, seemingly unbothered by its surroundings, remained motionless with its eyes firmly closed.

Conservation officers responded to the call and confirmed the bird was indeed a living eastern screech owl, a native species to the northeastern United States. The small raptor, distinguished by its brown and white plumage, had apparently found the quiet store shelf an acceptable substitute for its typical woodland dwelling.

“Our officers were surprised to find the owl so peacefully at rest in such an unusual location,” said a DEC spokesperson. “These birds are known for their ability to blend into their surroundings, but finding one amid antiques is certainly not an everyday occurrence.”

Eastern screech owls typically reach only 6 to 10 inches in height and are known for their distinctive call, which despite their name, sounds more like a trembling whistle than a screech. They are primarily nocturnal hunters, feeding on small rodents, insects, and occasionally other small birds.

Wildlife experts note that these owls commonly nest in tree cavities and are rarely spotted during daylight hours, making this sighting particularly unusual. The species has adapted well to human development and can be found in suburban areas with sufficient tree cover, though they generally avoid direct human contact.

The conservation officers carefully removed the sleepy owl from its impromptu perch, gently cradling the bird to avoid causing it stress. They transported it outside and released it into a wooded area adjacent to the store, where it promptly flew to a nearby tree.

“The owl appeared to be in good health and showed normal behavior once released back into its natural habitat,” the DEC reported. “No intervention or medical treatment was deemed necessary.”

The mystery of how the owl gained entry to the antique store remains unsolved. Wildlife experts speculate it may have entered through an open door or window during the night while hunting, becoming disoriented in the unfamiliar indoor environment. Eastern screech owls are known to occasionally enter human structures, particularly during severe weather or when pursuing prey.

Store owners at The Market Place have not yet commented on their unusual visitor. Local wildlife rehabilitators note that such encounters, while rare, highlight the importance of knowing who to contact when wildlife appears in unexpected places.

The DEC encourages residents who encounter wildlife in distress or in unusual locations to contact local conservation authorities rather than attempting to handle the animals themselves. Even small raptors like screech owls possess sharp talons and beaks that can cause injury when they feel threatened.

This incident serves as a reminder of the diverse wildlife that shares spaces with human communities throughout rural New York, sometimes in surprising ways and places.