Yuletide owl found roosting in Kentucky family's Christmas tree for days before being found

The bird's home was disturbed when the family went on their yearly hunt for the perfect tree

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A Kentucky family's decorated Christmas tree was inside their home for four days before it was discovered to be home to an owl.

Michele White told FOX 56 that the young owl managed to be undetected in the family's living room Christmas tree for four days by blending in with the tree's branches.

"I have three dogs," White told WDKY-TV. "We use this room nonstop: watch TV; the kitchen's right here; no indication."

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White said that the Yuletide owl's home was disturbed when her family went for their yearly hunt for the perfect Christmas tree.

Owl

A Lexington, Kentucky, family recently found an unwanted yuletide guest nestled in its Christmas tree. (Michele White)

Owl

The baby bird blended in with the branches, going undetected for four days. (Michele White)

"Every year. Love it," White said. "We pick it out as a family."

The first person to spot the feathered friend was Bobby Hayes.

Hayes, the owner of Magic Carpet Cleaning, was servicing the home while the family was away when he noticed the branches moving. 

Michael Hayes holding the owl

Michael Hayes was the first person to spot the tiny bird, nestled in the tree's branches. (Michele White)

A closer examination revealed that a small owl was rustling through the tree.

"It crawled up into the tree further," Hayes said. "It took me several minutes to even find it."

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Hayes managed to grab the owl and sent a picture to White.

"I was shocked. I was so stunned," White said.

Owl in the tree

Four days before the owl was discovered, the White family went to cut down their family's Christmas tree. (Michele White)

 She said she initially thought Hayes was pulling a prank with a stuffed animal.

"I thought he’d put a stuffed animal or an ornament in it, so I called him immediately, like, ‘You’re kidding me, right?'" White said.

Hayes told the local news station that he gently removed the owl from its cozy home and found a wooded place to release the baby bird.

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"Everybody’s going to be able to have a merry Christmas now," Hayes said.

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Sarah Rumpf-Whitten is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. 

She is a native of Massachusetts and is based in Orlando, Florida.

Story tips and ideas can be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and on X: @s_rumpfwhitten.

Authored by Sarah Rumpf-Whitten via FoxNews December 13th 2023