NORTHAMPTON — Northampton Animal Control was called out into a house on Elm Street early Wednesday to respond to reports of an owl that had entered the home.

The barred owl, named after the distinctive striped pattern on their chest, was flying around when it collided with a glass window, causing it to shatter and sending the owl into the home.

“It’s not unheard of for birds to fly into windows, but it’s usually songbirds or smaller species who are generally unable to break it,” said Dawn Ubelaker, the city’s animal control officer. “This owl was just heavy enough to get through.”

Upon arriving, Ubelaker determined that the owl was not injured.

“He was not a very happy owl,” said Ubelaker. “But that was a good sign. He was alert, and not injured.”

Once the owl was found to have no damage to his head or his wings, he was released into the wilderness.

Alexander MacDougall can be reached at amacdougall@gazettenet.com.

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