Toady I went to inspect a property that I took as a new listing and to take the listing photos. Just doing my job. I removed a few dead bugs from the vacant home whose owners live out-of-state, I swept a little dirt away from the front door.
I took my photos, put up the lockbox and the sign. As I proceeded around the house, a sound got my attention and caused me to look up.
To my big surprise, there is someone who is calling this house a home already! Should I call him a tenant? Should I call him a squatter?
A little owl had made his home in the exterior molding which consists of some sort of foam and in absence of hollow trees or caves is apparently quite suitable for nest building!
He peaked at me, I peaked at him, we didn't seem too threatening to each other.
But wait.. the house is for sale! Do I need to disclose the feathered occupant? Do I just not say anything and hope once he is discovered, the new owners will allow him to stay? What I probably will do is to find a wildlife rescue organization and ask for advice. I'd rather see him moved than evicted!
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Silvia, He is soooo cute!!! I think he is going to be a great selling feature. I love owls. They are amazing creatures.
Thank you Broker Bryant! I love birds and was thrilled as you don't get to see owls that often. This one was quite comfy watching me watch him!
When I first looked at it, I thought it was a bat. An owl is MUCH, MUCH better. :)
I think he will be a selling feature, however, I don't think it will be very safe for the owl.
Some people may get too curious and it may get hurt. You would do the right thing, if you called animal rescue or wildlife rescue and asked them about it.
I would definitely call a wildlife rescue line. A potential buyer might not feel as friendly and I would hate to see anything happen to the owl. I love owls (all animals!)and I think you got a great picture!
I would leave him in place and call him a rare feature. Any owl is welcome to roost at my place, any time!
Hi Silvia
Your tenant may not be permanent and may move on, on his own, if it becomes a issue a wildlife group will remove the owl.
Good success
Lou Ludwig
Oh he is a very cute little guy -- hope the new owners like him.
Sylvie, I too, thought it was a bat because initially, he moved back into the hole or "box" quite quickly. But he was a nosy thing so he stuck his head right back out!
Debra, I'm afraid some people are not quite as taken with wildlife as I am so at least I want to be prepared.
Bob, I agree! I would be thrilled to have him at my house!
Lou, I'm hoping he's "seasonal"! It would much prefer that.
Silvia - That's a spotted owl that migrated from the pacific NW. You can't sell the house now because it's part of it's natural habitat. Quick save yourself !
Now the question are there little baby owls in the hole as well? Might be a good idea to call the Wildlife folks just to get an opinion on what to do.
Bob and Carolyn... right now he "owns" the "roost". No new owners in sight as of yet.
Claude, LOL! It's a rather small owl with "ears". I was thinking maybe an Eastern Screech Owl.
In any case, I think it would add a "green" feature to the house and thus much more desirable and more valuable. I should suggest to increase the list price! :-)
Cindy, I'm wondering that too! But they should be safe for now, no one can get to them without a long ladder!
Fascinating. I swore it was a bat and was about to write "come to Austin, we have millions of bats here". That is the first bat I have seen of any size on a house. Great pic.
Sell on......
Hi Silvia, How funny, great Photo, Thanks for sharing, and have a great week
He looks so comfortable...maybe you can put a clause in the contract....he gets to stay until he is ready to move on......and buyers have to be owl lovers.
He is too cute! I can't believe he found a little spot for himself there. I am sure you were surprised to happen upon him. Thanks for sharing the pictures and story.
I had no idea they could nest in the side of a home like that! Wow he is very cute! I hope his new location will make him happy!
Silvia, what a cute little owl, he must be pretty wise to take up residence at your listing!
Tim, at first all I saw was something brown crawling around up there... so bat came to my mind too!
Barbara, thanks for stopping by, glad you enjoyed this!
Tina, I agree, there should be a special clause to protect the wildlife!
Hi Jackie, I sure was surprised! And he may have been too!
Judy, I'm glad this is just decorative molding and not a hole in the structure itself!
Caren, I guess so... but he was there first!
That's an owl? I see those all the time. I thought they were just giant moths. Oh... wait... is he sticking out through a hole? Hmm. Maybe it's not the same as what I've seen... OMG! This is going to drive me crazy!
Just think if the buyer won't tell you who they are, this little feathered fellow will also be asking... who, who... too cute.
Cute fellow! I love owls!
It looks like a screech owl. I had a family of screech owls when I was in high school. They lived in our back yard in a special screech owl house that I had built for them and put up in an old ash tree. Mommy and daddy came by each year for over ten years, laid some eggs, raised their young, and then took off into the wild blue yonder until the next year. Have no idea where they went, but it was always exciting when they returned.