Gorgeous baby great owl looks gratefully at firefighters after being rescued from storm drain

Published: 16:46, 3 April 2026 | Updated: 16:49, 3 April 2026 A baby Great Horned Owl was rescued by firefighters in California after being found stranded following an overnight storm. The wide-eyed owlet was brought to Vacaville Fire Department Station 74 early Thursday morning after a local resident discovered it near Fry Road and took it in for help, according to a Facebook post from the department. Crews quickly contacted the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, who then connected them with a Sacramento-area wildlife rescue organization to ensure the bird received proper care. While waiting for a volunteer to arrive, firefighters kept the owl at the station and looked after it. They also gave it the nickname ‘Small Fry,’ a reference to both its small size and the name of the road where it was found. Photos shared by the department show the small, fluffy baby owl being held by the crew while wrapped in a towel, with another photo of it sitting on a jean jacket. The owl was later transported to a wildlife rehabilitation center, where it will be evaluated and cared for until it can safely return to the wild, according to Fox 40. Great Horned Owls are one of the most common owl species in North America and are known for their distinctive ear-like tufts and deep hooting calls, according to All About Birds. A baby Great Horned owlet was brought to Vacaville Fire Department Station early Thursday morning after a local resident discovered it near Fry Road and took it in for help The crew gave it the nickname ‘Small Fry’ a reference to both its small size and the name of the road where it was found Their owlets are covered in soft white or gray down when they hatch, which helps keep them warm before their adult feathers grow in.  Young owls often leave the nest before they can fly and move between branches in a stage known as ‘branching,’ where they climb and hop as they develop. Despite their soft appearance, they are powerful predators capable of taking down prey larger than themselves, including other birds of prey. They use strong talons that can require up to 28 pounds of force to open, allowing them to kill prey quickly. The species also has exceptional night vision and highly sensitive hearing, enabling it to hunt silently in a wide range of habitats, from forests to cities. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.