Redondo Beach Residents Warned Not to Touch Baby Owls

Local officials advise leaving fledgling owls alone as they learn to fly

Apr. 16, 2026 at 6:34pm

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph of a small, fluffy baby owl sitting on the ground in a residential neighborhood, with blurred palm trees and houses visible in the background. The image is bathed in warm, golden light, creating a dreamlike, atmospheric quality.As Redondo Beach's baby owls learn to fly, their natural development process sometimes leads them to briefly end up on the ground, where their parents continue to care for them.Redondo Beach Today

Residents in Redondo Beach, California are being warned by local authorities not to approach or touch baby owls that have fallen from their nests in the area's abundant palm trees. Wildlife experts say it's a normal part of the owls' development process and their parents will continue to care for them, so interfering can do more harm than good.

Why it matters

Redondo Beach is home to a large population of owls, particularly great horned owls and barn owls, that nest in the city's many palm trees. As the owlets grow and start learning to fly, it's common for them to briefly end up on the ground, prompting concerned residents to want to help. However, wildlife officials caution that this natural behavior should be left undisturbed.

The details

According to the Redondo Beach Police Department, the owlets, or fledglings, are just going through the normal process of learning to fly and branch out from their nests. While the palm trees provide good nesting spots, they don't have the ideal branches for the owls to practice on, leading the young birds to sometimes end up on the ground. Officials advise residents to simply observe the owls from a distance and not approach or try to touch them, as this can stress the birds and potentially expose people to risks from their sharp talons and beaks.

  • In April 2026, Redondo Beach police issued a warning about baby owls on the ground.

The players

Redondo Beach Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that issued the warning to residents about not touching baby owls.

Detective Evalo

A Redondo Beach police officer who made a public service announcement video explaining what to do if you encounter a fallen owlet.

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What they’re saying

“If you see owl fledglings on the ground, don't worry and don't touch! These little ones are likely just learning to fly and their parents are probably nearby keeping an eye on them.”

— Redondo Beach Police Department

“So you'll find that at this age, these owls will actually fall to the ground, and that's where they'll do all their learning. But don't worry, their parents are still taking care of them.”

— Detective Evalo, Redondo Beach Police Officer

The takeaway

This situation highlights the importance of respecting wildlife and allowing natural processes to unfold, even when they may seem concerning to residents. By leaving the baby owls alone, Redondo Beach residents can help ensure the birds' healthy development and avoid potentially harming them through well-intentioned but misguided intervention.