Owls in Towels

As I grow older, as the entropy of the universe increases, as humans make the planet harder to inhabit for animals, I find myself appreciating more and more the people who spend their time helping critters in need.

Some individuals travel to great lengths to employ their expertise, attempting to coax species from the precipice of extinction. They climb walls on remote islands searching for bizarre, rare insects; they carry the last known individuals of a fish species in buckets across the desert.

Some communities unite for the good of the fauna. They go on puffling patrol to make sure newborns aren’t thwarted by light pollution; they ring fish doorbells to allow swimmers the ability to reach spawning grounds above human-made infrastructure.

But not everyone can replicate the heroics of the most extreme activists, and not everyone lives in an area where societal effort can help species in distress.

So, some people help in the 21st-century way: the internet!

They run charities; they raise money for dogs in need under the guise of rating their adorableness. Or, like today’s spotlight, they host a slew of photos of owls in towels.

Unlike accounts such as Menswear Dog or Doug the Pug, Owls in Towels isn’t just about being cute.

Yes, the project features hundreds of stigiformes nestled in terry cloth.

And, yes, they are all winsome.

The towels certainly add to the owlish look, but they’re in swaddling for a practical purpose.

The individuals highlighted on the website are all rescued owls receiving treatment or rehabilitation from veterinarians or refuge centers. The owls might have been injured, ill, or orphaned youngsters, but they were scooped up by concerned humans and treated to a stay at the Owl Spa.

The towels allow caretakers to feed and administer care without worrying about a squirming bird or sharp talons.

On the website’s frequently asked questions, they answer the “why” behind the idea:

“Owls are amazing! They are truly extraordinary creatures that serve a critical niche in our ecosystems. It’s only natural we want to help the ones that are sick, orphaned, or injured, and celebrate the wildlife rehabbers who do this work.

But watch out! Bird-handling is dangerous. Owls have sharp beaks and claws, and they WILL put up a fight. Experts protect themselves (and the owls) by wrapping owls in towels. This keeps the owl motionless, and allows the handler to complete tasks like weighing them and giving them food, fluids, medication, and xrays.

We like to see owls in towels, because it means people are helping owls. This site exists to document and share stories of owls in towels to as many eyes as possible. If nothing else, to add momentary cheer simply by showing owls receiving treatment. No ads. No sponsors. Just owls being rescued, treated and rehabilitated by people who care.”

The owls are often adorned with wonderful, punny names, such as A Moist Owlette and Tex Mex Burritowl.

Each owl comes with a backstory. Some tales are rather distressing, such as those that were shot with guns. All the more reason to raise awareness.

Studies show that just looking at nature imagery can boost one’s mental health, so the site can have a positive effect on the viewer, too. But the main goal is to shine a light on owls in need.

The site offers a slew of ways the everyday person can help owls, and though it does not explicitly ask for money, you can chip in to help cover the project’s costs. You can also follow links to many rehabilitation centers that have helped the posted owls, where you can likely donate to hands-on care.

Or just revel in the glory of an owl in a towel, then send the site to someone else who might gain joy from looking at these beautiful birds. The more awareness we spread, the more help we can create!

In addition to the official website, check the Further Reading and Exploration section below for other ways you can connect to this organization. Give a hoot and get some owl into your social media feeds!