Sweetbriar Nature Center Searching For Missing Barn Owl Nebula

SMITHTOWN, NY — Sweetbriar Nature Center in Smithtown is asking for the community’s help in finding Nebula, a beloved European barn owl who went missing during an educational program on Saturday.

Nebula, who has lived at the 54-acre non-profit wildlife preserve for nearly seven years, slipped away from her handler Sunday evening after what staff described as a “clip malfunction.”

“It was just a freak accident," said Janine Bendicksen, Sweetbriar’s director of wildlife rehabilitation. "She’s never lived in the wild, nor is she native to this area. Nebula was a gift from a breeder and was used for our education programs. She’s imprinted — she thinks she’s a person — so she doesn’t have any natural fear of predators or people.”

Unlike wild barn owls found in Long Island’s fields and marshes, Nebula is smaller and pale white in color. Because she was raised entirely in captivity, she depends on humans for food and care and wouldn’t survive long on her own.

“When she’s hungry, she makes a screeching sound, not the ‘hoo-hoo’ people expect,” Bendicksen said. “If anyone hears or sees a white owl that’s screeching or acting unafraid of people, please call us right away. Don’t try to catch her.”

Sweetbriar staff have received dozens of calls daily about possible sightings, but most have been native owls, turkeys, or other birds. Nebula is believed to still be near the Smithtown preserve.

“She doesn’t have the muscle mass to travel far — she’s not going to make it to Robert Moses, the Rockaways or the Hamptons,” Bendicksen said.

Anyone who spots or hears what could be Nebula is asked to contact Sweetbriar immediately at 631-979-6344 or send a direct message on Instagram, which staff monitor frequently.