Woman rescues owlet perched on top of car at Bukit Batok, bird later taken into NParks care

UPDATE on Apr. 23 2:10pm: The article has been updated with NParks' statement.

A baby owl was spotted perched on top of a car at an open-air carpark in Bukit Batok on Apr. 18, prompting a resident to contact the National Parks Board (NParks) for assistance.

The incident came to public attention after the resident shared her account on the Facebook group Singapore Wildlife Sightings.

Speaking to Mothership, the woman, Dyah, said the owlet was found around 11am near Block 213 Bukit Batok Street 21 and described it as "small and very cute, with fluffy feathers."

While the bird appeared calm, she noted it also seemed slightly frightened.

"Since the owlet could not fly yet, it remained standing quietly in the same spot while people were passing by," she said, adding that she had contacted NParks shortly after.

Placed the owlet in a box

Uncertain how long the owlet had been exposed to the heat, Dyah said she brought it home to provide a calm, cool environment while waiting for NParks to arrive.

Following NParks' advice to place the bird in a safe container, she first retrieved a cardboard box from a nearby recycling bin and carefully approached the owlet to avoid startling it.

Once home, she transferred it into a larger box lined with a clean mat, leaving a small opening for ventilation.

Dyah said the NParks officers arrived approximately an hour after being contacted.

They examined the owlet and asked Dyah about where it had been found before surveying the surrounding trees in search of its nest or mother.

After about an hour with no sign of the mother owl, the officers brought the owlet with them for further care.

Owl assessed to be healthy

In response to Mothership's queries, Group Director, Wildlife Management How Choon Beng confirmed that NParks was alerted to a grounded juvenile Sunda scops owl in the Bukit Batok area on Apr. 18.

How said the bird was retrieved by their wildlife contractor, who assessed the owl to be healthy and no medical treatment was required.

As its nest and parents could not be located, the owl was subsequently placed in a makeshift nest in a tree near where the parents had been previously sighted, to improve the chances of reunification.

"Fledglings may accidentally end up on the ground while learning how to fly," How added, noting that the chances of young birds surviving are the highest when reunited with their parents.

He advised members of the public who find such grounded birds to leave them alone, especially if their parents have been sighted.

If they are in danger, one can move them to a suitable safe location nearby, said How.

He also urged the public to call NParks’ 24-hour Animal Response Centre helpline at 1800-476-1600 for assistance if a bird is found to be injured, trapped or in distress.

Top photos courtesy of Dyah