Owl at home among construction

EUGENE, Ore., Jan. 31 (UPI) -- A Eugene, Ore., woman says an unlikely resident has braved construction noise to make its home in a new wing being built onto her home, a Western screech owl.

Laura Fenimore said the owl, which perches out in the open in the area that will be Fenimore's new great room when construction is completed, has been a welcome guest, the Eugene Register-Guard reported Wednesday.

She said the bird keeps quiet around the house, doesn't make a mess and even helps to control the house's rodent problem.

"Isn't he a hoot," Fenimore said. "I thought the construction noise, the dog or the power tools would scare him off, but the next day he comes right back."

She said mice that had been driven from her home by exterminators were living in areas of the yard that were now exposed by the construction.

"This is like feast time for Mr. Owl," Fenimore said. "I sure hope he stays."