A family in Northampton, Massachusetts, was left stunned after a barred owl crashed through their kitchen window in broad daylight, showering the room with broken glass and confusion. The February incident happened mid-morning, just as the homeowners were going about their usual routine.
“It sounded like a bomb went off,” one resident told reporters. “We came running in and there it was—an owl just sitting in the middle of the kitchen looking as confused as we were.”
The barred owl, roughly 50 centimeters (about 20 inches) tall with a wingspan over 1 meter (3.5 feet), had flown straight through a double-paned window, leaving a jagged hole and feathers scattered across the floor.
Second Owl Strike in the Same Week
As strange as it sounds, this wasn’t a one-off. Just days earlier, another barred owl had flown through the window of a different Northampton home. In both cases, the birds survived the crash, though homeowners were rattled, and their windows weren’t as lucky.
Local animal control officers responded to both calls and confirmed that the owls were not seriously injured. Each bird was safely contained, examined, and later released back into the wild.
“Barred owls are beautiful, but when one comes flying through your kitchen window, it’s a little less majestic,” said one officer.
Why Are Owls Crashing Into Homes?
Bird strikes against windows aren’t uncommon, but they usually involve smaller birds. In this case, experts believe the owls mistook reflections on the glass for open sky or saw movement inside the home and attempted to fly through.
Barred owls inhabit the eastern United States and use their strong vision and silent flight to hunt—but they don’t recognize windows as obstacles in their environment.
“They don’t understand glass,” said a wildlife rehabilitator. “To them, a reflection of trees is just another part of the forest.”
What To Do If a Bird Crashes Into Your Home
If an owl or other bird crashes through your window:
- Stay calm and avoid sudden movements.
- Do not try to pick up the bird with your bare hands. Use gloves or a towel.
- Contain it in one room by closing interior doors.
- Call local animal control or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator immediately.
- Never try to release an injured bird without professional help.
As for the Northampton homeowners, they’ve replaced the window and added decals to deter future incidents. But they still check their kitchen twice before making coffee.
“You don’t expect a wild owl to join you for breakfast,” one of them joked. “But I guess in New England, anything’s possible.”
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