It wasn’t quite a partridge in a pear tree, but a worker helping set up the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in New York, Unites States, found a holiday surprise — a tiny owl among the massive branches.
The little bird, now named what else but Rockefeller, was discovered on Monday, dehydrated and hungry, but otherwise unharmed, said Ellen Kalish, director and founder of the Ravensbeard Wildlife Center in Saugerties, New York, where the bird was taken.
Kalish said the bird is an adult male Saw-whet owl, one of the tiniest owls. It was taken to a veterinarian on Wednesday and got a clean bill of health.
“He’s had a buffet of all-you-can-eat mice, so he’s ready to go,” she said.
She said the plan was to release the owl back to the wild this weekend.
The little owl created quite the stir on social media, however. Images of the bird have been going viral on social media.
They found a small owl inside of this year’s Rockefeller Christmas tree, he hitched a ride all the way to NYC and is now being treated and cared for at a wildlife rehab facility. pic.twitter.com/f4PkBm6MGo
— Allison Esposito Medina (@techladyallison) November 18, 2020
Look what was found inside the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree from Oneonta! This TINY owl is actually an adult male Saw-whet, the smallest variety of owl in the NortheastHe hadn’t eaten or drunk in days, but began to recover after getting fluids and food. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/mhaRPbblpt
— Peter Hall (@PeteWeatherBeat) November 19, 2020
Here's another pic of Rockefeller that didn't make it into the story courtesy of Ellen Kalish. He looks tiny but he is an adult male. pic.twitter.com/poNWJ4NNI7
— Andrea Salcedo (@andreapsalcedo) November 19, 2020
Rockefeller, you are a good sign ❤️ pic.twitter.com/FkfScwRSe1
— Patricia Torres Ray (@TorresRayMN) November 19, 2020
The tree, a 75-foot (23-meter) Norway spruce, had been brought to Manhattan on Saturday from Oneonta, New York, in the central part of the state. The tree is put in place and then decorated over some weeks before being lit for the public in early December.