Someone in Manatee County is missing a very unconventional pet. A Great Horned Owl turned up at an East Bradenton home this week.
A Bradenton man said when the owl came to his house he was very tame and never left.
“He just seemed to bond with me,” said Murray Miller, who lives off of Rye Road. “He came to me.”
Miller has a little parrot of his own and loves birds. He named his new friend, Screech.
Miller said he was caught off guard the first time he saw the bird. Screech was hanging out on the screen of his pool area and not acting like a owl found in the wild.
“He was obviously friendly, too friendly to be in the wild,” said Miller. “We were concerned about his safety. He was also crying in his own way letting us know he wanted to be fed.”
Miller got in touch with local wildlife rescue expert, Justin Matthews.
Matthews said while he’d love to set the bird free, he can't.
“It was raised by humans,” said Matthews. “He doesn’t consider any of us a threat at all. Actually you can touch the bird and he nibbles on you like he would his mother in a nest.”
Matthews doesn’t think the owl traveled far to get to Miller’s home and believes he belongs to someone who lives within a mile of the area.
Matthews said he’s concerned about this lost pet.
“It’s illegal to take these birds,” said Matthews. “It’s an offense that could land you in jail.”
To own a Great Horned Owl, you need to have a special permit.
Matthews said if no one claims the owl, he’ll keep him. If you have any information about the owl, call 941-822-3272.