{"id":152608,"date":"2025-05-29T13:00:07","date_gmt":"2025-05-29T11:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goodthingsguy.com\/?p=152608"},"modified":"2025-05-29T11:42:13","modified_gmt":"2025-05-29T09:42:13","slug":"barn-owls-use-the-khumalos-braai-as-their-own-airbnb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goodthingsguy.com\/environment\/barn-owls-use-the-khumalos-braai-as-their-own-airbnb\/","title":{"rendered":"Barn Owls Use the Khumalo\u2019s Braai as Their Own AirBnb"},"content":{"rendered":"

Against their will, Grace and Thomas Khumalo\u2019s braai area turned into an Airbnb for owls in what has become a hilarious series of events that has seen the same owl family come back to the braai time and time again.<\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

Gauteng, South Africa (29 May 2025) \u2014 <\/i>The first time the Khumalo’s realised they were unknowingly running an Airbnb for Owls, it was a bit of a drama and an event; Thomas and Grace Khumalo thought it would be a one-time thing.<\/p>\n

In May last year, it was revealed that the Khumalo\u2019s built-in braai had been chosen by a breeding pair of Barn Owls as the perfect accommodation to raise their fledglings. None-the-wiser, the human couple were caught completely off guard when they discovered the feathered family (it\u2019s not every day three owls choose your braai to nest, after all).<\/p>\n

Enter wildlife rescuer and accidental owl concierge Shawn Hefer.<\/p>\n

As the South African Wildlife Rehabilitation Center recall, Shawn arrived to help both families and \u201cwith the air of someone who\u2019s opened one too many owl filled ovens, Shawn calmly approached the braai door. The moment he opened it, one of the three owls launched itself into the room in a flurry of wings and indignation.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Shawn caught the owl carefully while a shocked Grace watched the scene unfold.<\/a><\/p>\n

Eventually, the owls were taken to their new (and far more fitting accommodation) at the Owl Rescue Centre.<\/p>\n

However, this was not the last the Khumalo\u2019s would see of their owl guests. Fast forward to this year, and guess who came back for another stay in the braai?<\/p>\n

\u201cThe same feathered squatters, clearly feeling nostalgic (or just opportunistic), returned for round two after discovering the chimney was still blissfully unmeshed. (Hey.. If it ain\u2019t blocked, why stop the flock)?\u201d The South African Wildlife Rehabilitation Center shared.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This time, a teen owl (a young fledgling) had made himself at home, and Shawn once again got the Khumalo\u2019s call.<\/p>\n

This rescue was an easier effort as Shawn set the fledging on the ground and watched him fly off into the sunset.<\/p>\n