Sleepy Owl Discovered Resting on Antique Store Shelf in East Durham, New York After Shoppers Mistake It for Decorative Item

EAST DURHAM, NEW YORK — Shoppers browsing through antiques at a local store in upstate New York were surprised to discover that what appeared to be a decorative display item was actually a live owl quietly resting on a shelf.

The unusual encounter happened inside The Market Place antique store, where customers noticed the bird perched calmly among vintage items, including a cookie jar shaped like a chicken.

Shoppers Spot a “Lifelike” Surprise on the Shelf

According to officials, customers first noticed something unusual while looking through items on one of the store’s shelves.

What initially appeared to be a realistic decoration turned out to be a brown-and-white owl sitting with its eyes closed, blending almost perfectly with the surrounding objects.

Customers alerted store staff after realizing the bird was real.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation later confirmed that the sighting occurred Feb. 21 in the hamlet of East Durham, located about 127 miles north of Manhattan.

Wildlife Officers Called to Handle the Situation

Environmental Conservation Police Officers were contacted after the discovery and arrived at the antique store to safely handle the unexpected visitor.

Officers found the owl perched quietly on the shelf, appearing calm and still resting when they arrived.

Rather than causing panic or damage inside the shop, the bird had simply settled into the display area as if it were another item in the store.

Officials carefully removed the owl by gently cradling it before transporting it outside.

Owl Safely Released Back Into Nearby Woods

After being removed from the building, wildlife officers released the owl into a nearby wooded area.

The bird quickly flew into a nearby tree once it was outside, returning safely to its natural environment.

Officials identified the bird as an eastern screech owl, a species commonly found throughout parts of North America.

A Nocturnal Bird That Normally Sleeps During the Day

Eastern screech owls are nocturnal birds, meaning they are most active at night and typically rest during the daytime hours.

They usually sleep in tree cavities or other sheltered spaces that provide protection while they rest.

Experts say this natural behavior may explain why the owl quietly settled inside the antique store shelf, which likely appeared to be a safe and sheltered place to rest.

Authorities said it remains unclear exactly how the bird entered the building in the first place.

The unexpected wildlife encounter quickly became a memorable moment for both customers and staff who happened to witness the unusual scene.

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