Antique Shop In Upstate New York Housed An Unexpected (and Sleepy) Visitor

I love antique stores. Maybe it's because everyone told me I was an "old soul" growing up, but I can't get enough of looking at (and buying) things from a bygone era.

Read More: Upstate New York Now Has Their Own "Miracle on the Hudson"

You never know what you might find in them: A hundred year old teapot? A lost painting? Or maybe, a visitor trying to get some sleep...

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An Unexpected Visitor

In East Durham, just 127 miles north of Manhattan, lies an antique shop named The Market Place. On February 21st, shoppers were milling about, looking for their next buy, when a few noticed something... weird.

One item on the shelves seemed lifelike, too lifelike. Upon investigation they found a  brown-and-white owl perched on a shelf right next to a brother of his (a ceramic cookie jar shaped like a chicken). He must have thought they were birds of a feather!

Is the Bird Safe?

Luckily, yes, the owl made it out of the store safely. Environmental conservation police officers arrived on scene shortly after the discovery was made, and were able to move the bird back to its natural habitat. They cradled the owl while it was still resting, and took it to a nearby wooded area, where it swiftly found its way to a tree.

Upon examination, the bird was found to be an Eastern Screech Owl, fairly common in the area. They are nocturnal creatures, so this little guy was probably just trying to catch a few winks before he headed out hunting for the night, and got lured in by the promise of some warmth.