An Owl in Illinois Steals a Stick Pony & Flies Off – Locals Think It’s a Wicked Witch

It's a bird... it's a plane... its an owl with a hobby horse in its talons?

In a Facebook post, Eric Lind wrote,

Current situation at my parents house.....the young neighborhood owl has stolen this stick horse and is flying around the neighborhood with it. Hilldale/Forest Park/Ridge lane neighbors...if your child is missing their stick horse, you'll have to talk to the owl!!

The Rest of the Story

Local spectators in Eureka, Illinois got their fair share of wildlife entertainment when a horned owl swooped in and stole a child's toy earlier this month. Once the owl took to the sky with its newly acquired stick-pony bestie, an eerie silhouette was cast. Looking much like the classic Halloween image of a witch on a broomstick it caught the attention of most that were outside at that time.

Eric Lind was visiting with his parents when the now-viral photographs of the owl were taken. Lind told Newsweek: "My mom received a call from one of the neighbors telling her to look outside in the backyard at our pine tree. They had spotted the owl as it flew into the tree initially, but couldn't quite tell what it was carrying at first."

The curious owl has sparked a lot of attention all over the web and social media, giving everyone a chance to enjoy the much-needed comical break in the format of a news story. Eric Lind also went on to say, "I posted it because it brought a good laugh and smile to my family—so I thought others would enjoy it too."

Lind certainly wasn't wrong in thinking so, many across the country have shared the photos of the owl and its inanimate equine companion and have enjoyed a little bit of Halloween humor all thanks to an owl, who probably will never realize how famous it became this October.

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Are Horned Owls Native to the Tri-State?

The Great Horned Owl is one of the most common species of owls seen in this area of the country and can be spotted most anywhere in North America, Artic, and tropical regions. This large raptor can adapt to virtually any environment if it can find sufficient tree coverage and rocky areas for nesting. Your best chance at spotting one of these fantastic creatures is best done around dusk and in areas where there are fields, grasslands, and even airports.