Tangled up in Ford: Owl survives head-on collision (Picture: Facebook / Vermont Fish & Wildlife)

A miracle owl lived to fly another day after surviving a head-on collision with a moving Ford pickup.

The brown feathered bird was left with its head lodged firmly in the grill of the truck following the accidental smash in Addison County, Vermont, on December 11.

‘I received a call from the driver a little after five in the morning explaining that he had hit an owl,’ explained biologist David Sausville, of the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.

‘He said that the owl was still alive and was lodged in his truck.’

All up in my grill: Impact damage from the collision (Picture: Facebook / Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department)

The man slowly drove the bird eight miles to where he worked before calling for help.



After Mr Sausville arrived at the scene, the pair worked together to free the tangled up owl who was hit as it swooped down on some prey.

Using a pair of thick welding gloves, the animal expert held the owl by its talons while the driver worked to remove its head from the grill.

Back to full health (Picture: Facebook / Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department

‘The driver did the right thing by not attempting to help the owl by himself,’ said Mr Sausville.

‘Owls can do serious damage with their talons if they get a hold of you; they don’t want to let go.’

The bird didn’t appear too ruffled by the incident and was released back into the wild just a few hours later after escaping any serious injury.

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