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Lately, a few owls have been going viral without putting any effort into it. All they had to do was take a nap! Yes, they did it face down. Yes, they looked unbelievably cute and as if they just got back from a night of heavy drinking at the same time. And yes, probably 99% of people wouldn't even have known about it if it wasn't for the internet... OK, maybe their popularity is perfectly reasonable; maybe I'm just jealous of it.
Journalist Mark Rees is responsible for arguably the most successful sleeping owl PR campaign. A pic he tweeted has received over 119K likes, catapulting the series to Internet stardom on all sorts of platforms including Twitter, Facebook, Imgur, and, of course, Reddit. Continue scrolling and check out the irresistible birds that everyone is obsessing over for yourself. Chances are, you'll release at least a dozen "w" worth of "aww".
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#1
Faith Nicole 5 years ago
Looks like he's sunbathing and has to even out the color, i make that same face when i need to lay on my stomach to get the back of my legs tanned
To be honest, we couldn't back up or dismiss Rees' explanation that the young owls do so because their heads are too heavy. All that we know is that they really do nap like this. The National Audubon Society, a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to conservation, for example, published a heartwarming story about two Barred Owlets who had fallen out of their nest. After the babies were put back into the tree, their rescuers observed how they were recovering.
"Keeping their talons tightly gripped on a branch, the owlets lay down on their stomachs, turned their heads to the side, and fell asleep. Their naps are short, and when they are asleep, they do not like to be awakened, even to be fed," the article said.
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#2
C Hypercube 5 years ago (edited)
"As they get older owls seem to dream less". As do humans. Live long enough and life slowly kills all your dreams. One of the worst days of our lives is the day when "I have a dream" becomes "I used to have dreams". *sry for the offtopic*
Charlielikescats 5 years ago
So... cute... tsundere... instincts... kicking in... must... SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Interestingly, a young owl doesn’t fall out of the tree while it snoozes because it holds onto the branch with its back toe, the hallux. "The hallux will not open or let go until the bird bends its leg."
Sadly, before they can fly, most owlets' will to explore their surroundings gets the best of them and they often end up on the ground, sometimes dropping right in front of us.
#3
Parmeisan 5 years ago
I'd never heard that before, but it's all the proof I needed.
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Dylan Vite 5 years ago
I mean, would you like it if someone posts your weirdest yoga pose then posts it online?
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Zophra 5 years ago
This looks more disturbing like a dead owl - additionally - are those abrasions on its legs?
Haidee 5 years ago
I agree but also many birds do have random spots with no feathers that look like that- on the legs and around the wings and head usually but you dont see them
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Russell Ellwardt 5 years ago
Legs like a soccer player. Red and white stockings up to the knee, and very hairy further up.
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Elaine Mattingly 5 years ago
I have an odd desire to put a little cover over him and kiss him night,night.
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Evil Little Thing 5 years ago
A very science phrase. Never want to over-conclude.
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Christina Uhlir 5 years ago
I see the newspaper... and I fear for this creature very, very much: is it going to end up a soup?
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Elaine Mattingly 5 years ago
Can't find my wings, can't find my feet and can't hold my head up. Oh well, maybe tomorrow.
#15
Parmeisan 5 years ago
Any man who can hitch the length and breadth of the galaxy, rough it, slum it, struggle against terrible odds, win through, and still knows where his towel owl is is clearly a man to be reckoned with. --Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
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#16
Dolevaal 5 years ago
Only Teenagers? So many days I fall asleep after work like this.
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Lynn Morello 5 years ago
So pleased I read these other wise i would have been racing in to save a poor dying Owlett.
#20
NJ 5 years ago
I had no idea that's what they were called! thanks for teaching me something new today :)
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Elaine Mattingly 5 years ago
Stop screaming, he's just sleeping, he's fine, dry you're little tearrs.
Ceredwyn Ealanta 5 years ago
Eye closed - birds have teeny feathers that work like our eyelashes - you can see them as two lines of white dots lining the closed two yellow lids.
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Ava Proctor 5 years ago
it looks like a rehabilitation center for raptors, its probably tethered so it doesn't injure itself trying to fly. dont worry its probably going to be just fine. : D
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Elaine Mattingly 5 years ago
This will give me nightmares. He looks like he's on a chopping block!
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Big,Ern MCCracken 5 years ago
looks like there was a party at Hogwarts last night sleeping-b...b703aa.jpg 
Helene Pylioty 5 years ago
It's a shame to see all these owls behind bars and on fake grass.No captivity is good.Please don't post such a photos!!!!
sharron lynn parsons 5 years ago
In captivity yes, but should be, some grass or ? not a wire cage !!!
debi stanton 5 years ago
It made me sad to look at all these owls Behind Bars and on fake grass.
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What do you think ?
YoyoSthlm 5 years ago
We have a returning couple of owls in our barn and every year they have new babies. Their "nest" is up high close to the roof. Apparently (baby) owls can't take off from the ground so when one fell down it just walked around screaming for mum. We wrapped it in a towel (which was hilarious because you realized how much floof and little skeleton they're made of) and climbed up and put it back as close as we could. The next night all three babies were practicing flying again! :)
Tracey Hirt 5 years ago
Awww! They remind me of toddlers who have shouted, “Not tired!” And refused to go to bed before collapsing on the floor in an exhausted heap.
Foxxy (The Original) 5 years ago
Apparently they sleep like that because their body’s are too heavy for them to hold themselves up for long. Whether that is true or not, I don’t know and I cbf checking lol,
Rosie Hamilton 5 years ago
It does say that in a couple of places during the article... So at least you're right! 😁
Load More Replies... sharron lynn parsons 5 years ago
Wish there had been, information to understand it all, however, nice to see sweet baby owls !!!
YoyoSthlm 5 years ago
We have a returning couple of owls in our barn and every year they have new babies. Their "nest" is up high close to the roof. Apparently (baby) owls can't take off from the ground so when one fell down it just walked around screaming for mum. We wrapped it in a towel (which was hilarious because you realized how much floof and little skeleton they're made of) and climbed up and put it back as close as we could. The next night all three babies were practicing flying again! :)
Tracey Hirt 5 years ago
Awww! They remind me of toddlers who have shouted, “Not tired!” And refused to go to bed before collapsing on the floor in an exhausted heap.
Foxxy (The Original) 5 years ago
Apparently they sleep like that because their body’s are too heavy for them to hold themselves up for long. Whether that is true or not, I don’t know and I cbf checking lol,
Rosie Hamilton 5 years ago
It does say that in a couple of places during the article... So at least you're right! 😁
Load More Replies... sharron lynn parsons 5 years ago
Wish there had been, information to understand it all, however, nice to see sweet baby owls !!!
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