Surprise owl visit turns ordinary afternoon into memorable moment for Paris family
- Casandra Turnbull
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Casandra Turnbull
Managing Editor
What started as a routine trip out the door quickly turned into an unforgettable wildlife encounter for a Cobblestone neighbourhood family after an owl quietly took up residence on the side of their home.
Shantie Bahadur said the family was heading out for errands around 2:45 p.m. on Jan. 3rd when her two-year-old son suddenly froze on the porch.
“He stood there speechless,” she said. “After a few stressful moments of coaxing him to move and talk, he finally pointed to the owl on the wall.”
The bird blended so well into the brick exterior that the adults hadn’t noticed it at all. Remarkably, Bahadur said, their son didn’t cry or make a fuss, a calm reaction that likely prevented the owl from being startled.
Later, the family turned the moment into a positive memory for him, telling their toddler the owl had stopped by to wish him a happy third birthday, coming up Jan. 5.
The family isn’t sure exactly when the owl arrived but believe it couldn’t have been there long before they spotted it.
“It was clinging to the brick, which can’t be easy on its talons,” said Akshay Bajaj. “While we walked past it quietly to get to the car, it stayed completely motionless.”
When the family returned home around 4 p.m., the owl had moved on its own - settling onto the Christmas wreath hanging on the front door. There, it remained until just after 5:20 p.m., when dusk set in and outdoor lights began to turn on.
Concerned but cautious, the family turned to a local social media group to ask for advice.
“Most people were just in awe of this beautiful raptor,” said Bahadur. “Everyone advised us to leave it alone, explaining that it’s nocturnal and likely just resting.”
The responses helped reassure the family, who saw no signs of injury or distress.
“It was unusual to see it on the wall instead of a tree or pole, especially since we have a tree right out front,” Bajaj said. “But it looked healthy, so we decided to leave as planned and reassess when we got back (from the errands).”
No calls were made to wildlife officials. Instead, the family followed the advice to keep their distance and let nature take its course.
From inside the house, they watched as the owl dozed peacefully.
“We could see it was fast asleep, which was a relief,” said Bahadur. “It kept opening its eyes to look at us with these intense, beautiful eyes, then nodding back off. It was very calm.”
Based on feedback from the online community and their own research, the family believes the visitor was an Eastern screech owl, a species they admit they knew little about beforehand.
“We definitely learned a lot,” said Bajaj. “We know enough to leave wildlife alone unless it’s injured. If it had been hurt, we would have contacted a rescue organization.”
Looking back, the family says the experience was equal parts surprising and meaningful and was made even more memorable by the timing.
“It felt special, and a bit eerie, to have such a close encounter in the daytime, on the first super moon of the year,” said Bahadur. “It was exciting for both adults and kids.”
After the owl moved on, messages from friends and neighbours poured in, with several describing the visit as a sign of good luck or a blessing.
“It’s been a tough few years for our family,” Bahadur said. “This felt like a really special moment; something positive and calming, right on our front porch.”
The family hopes their experience encourages others to pause and observe if they encounter wildlife unexpectedly.
“Keep your distance and watch for signs of distress,” said Bajaj. “Even if an animal is injured, approaching it can cause more stress. It’s best to contact a wildlife rescue or allow nature to take its course.”
For this Paris family, a quiet owl’s daytime rest turned into a moment of wonder and a reminder that nature can surprise you when you least expect it.
Comments