People stop to take photos and videos of the owl, which didn't seem to give a hoot. (Laura Dudas) People passing through Confederation Park in downtown Ottawa got a pleasant surprise Wednesday afternoon when they spotted an owl perched in a tree.

The bird, which appears to be a barred owl, watched calmly as onlookers took photos and videos around 4:45 p.m.

Barred owls are common in this region, but daytime sightings are a rare treat, particularly in the city's core.

The owl didn't seem bothered by all the attention.

"He seemed pretty settled where he was," said Laura Dudas, who sent CBC this video.

Confederation Park has in the past gained notoriety as a favourite hangout for rats, so it's possible the owl was just stopping by the park for a light snack before heading to more forested areas.

Watch the video of the owl from Facebook here.