Firefighters Rescue Adorable Baby Owl After It Falls Out Of Rooftop Nest

Mason Joseph Zimmer
baby owls huddled in nest
instagram | @losangelesfiredepartment

Although the job titles and equipment used by firefighters make it obvious that they specialize in controlling and eliminating hazardous blazes, it would be misleading to say that this is the extent of their jobs.

Not only are they often among the first on the scene during medical emergencies, but they've also developed a reputation for helping animals when they get themselves into trouble.

And while we often don't have to explain why some of the situations these animals end up in are so perilous, others seem a lot more ridiculous to the average passer-by, but are nonetheless not something you'd want to let them suffer through. And to be fair, it's not like humans can't get into those kind of jams either.

As one story illustrates, however, the care that firefighters show in responding to these unusual scenarios is only matched by how cleverly they have to approach them.

It's unclear when they first arrived, but a family of owls have spent a long time perched on the roof of a house in Woodland Hills, California.

baby owls huddled in nest
instagram | @losangelesfiredepartment

And as People reported, their presence is something the homeowners have always been conscientious about.

For instance, the fact that the owls' nest is above their front door has compelled these people to make a habit of using their back door instead.

So when one of the owl's babies fell out of the nest, the owners weren't content to just let it sit on the ground.

baby owl sitting on pile of twigs
instagram | @losangelesfiredepartment

They had initially tried to contact an animal rescue agency to address the situation, but turned to the Los Angeles Fire Department when that proved unsuccessful.

And a crew at Fire Station 84 soon proved that they cared as much about this little owl's fate as the homeowners did.

After setting up a ladder to reach the nest, the crew sent Probationary Firefighter Hailey Denny to make the final rescue.

firefighter smiling while holding baby owl
instagram | @losangelesfiredepartment

She then geared up with the protective equipment you see here (birds don't always recognize when someone's trying to help their babies, after all) and carefully scaled the ladder with the little fellow held close to her.

Fortunately, she was able to return the baby to its nest without incident, which prompted this funny, quizzical expression from its parent.

owl looking quizzically in front of wood panelling
instagram | @losangelesfiredepartment

As a representative from the Fire Department wrote on Instagram, "Most firefighters are not experts at owl facial expressions, but we assume the last photo is parent owl's 'thankfulness' face."

And since it didn't try to peck anybody, that seems as plausible of an interpretation as any.

h/t: People