Almost had a familiar.

[alsih2o]

One of my buddies called last night after I hit bed saying he ahd found an owl on the road and couldn't tell hos injured it was. He wanted to bring it by and see if I could identify it and possibly take care of it (this is more common in my life than it should be..)

He came by with it and when holding it for pics and identification ( we were gonna call a buddy who is a wildlife officer in the morning) it relieved itself on my buddy.

He shifted his grip and it burst form his hand and flew off. We assume this means he was doing alright.

See pic-

 

[der_kluge]

Dude, those things could totally bite your finger off if they wanted to.

That looks like a Screech owl to me.

 

[tarchon]

I'd say it was a juvenile if it weren't too early in the season. Could just have been sick.

 

[Raging Epistaxis]

Yeah, I'd say a Screech Owl (red phase) from the pic. Probably adult this time of year. Cute little things, though.

Owls can deliver vicious bites, but their real killing weapons are their feet - always immobilize the legs first. A Screech owl isn't as bad as something like a Great Horned or a Snowy - believe me (even with protective arm gear) when one of them clenches down on your arm - you want to cry uncle. Put all that force driving needle sharp talons...

Usually if they are healthy enough to fly off you should let them - capture stress can be a killer.

R E

I won't go off on the tangent of protected species and federal law, etc etc It sounds like you were going to seek proper authorities the next morning.

 

[alsih2o]

I won't go off on the tangent of protected species and federal law, etc etc It sounds like you were going to seek proper authorities the next morning.

He was only handled because he was in the middle of the road and wouldn't move.

I am one of the good guys, I swear.

 

[Greylock]

Dude, find another one! Swear, I'll help ya look. With one of those at the table, Jo will never forget her animal companion again!

 

[Rodrigo Istalindir]

It was probably just tired and shagged out following a prolonged squawk, err, hoot.

 

[Raging Epistaxis]

With one of those at the table, Jo will never forget her animal companion again!

Forget her companion? Heck with one of those at the table she'll never see her companion again! (If it's a small enough critter...)

But yeah, if I were a character in a D&D world, I think a small owl familiar would be cool.
In our world though, it's more hassle than it's worth.

It was probably just tired and shagged out following a prolonged squawk, err, hoot.

It was an all night Hootenanny!

R E

 

[Aitch Eye]

It was an all night Hootenanny!

R E

The term "all night Hootenanny" might be better applied to alsih2o in this case, even if it was only prospective.

 

[Angcuru]

No +2 to spot checks for yooooouuuuuu!!!!!