An adorable baby owl has become an internet sensation after it was caught on camera doing an ‘infectious’ yawn that is prompting anyone who views it to do the same.
Gerald Robinson has been returning to photograph a family of owls for around three years at a church in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, and last week managed to capture one of this year’s chicks on camera.
Heartwarming footage shows the tiny creature perched on a gravestone and turning its head to look at the camera to reveal an almighty yawn.
The little owl has captivated hearts of social media users after Gerald’s footage was shared by BBC Springwatch, sending the sleepy animal viral with more than 400,000 views.
In fact, his yawn is prompting hundreds of yawns from anyone who views the footage.
Father-of-three Gerald, 56, said: ‘Everyone who watches it says it makes them yawn. It’s funny, no one seems to be able to get through the video without yawning.
‘It really does look human the way it does it – it looks like it had had a hard night out.
‘It looks more like a bloke who’s been out on the town until 3am rather than a baby owl who has been relaxing in the sun all day.
‘It was very funny to watch its facial expression and to see such a small creature do such a big yawn.’
Gerald added: ‘I had only been filming it on and off for around 10 or 15 minutes so I was very lucky to catch it.
Gerald Robinson has been returning to photograph a family of owls for around three years at a church in Rotherham, and last week captured one of this year’s chicks on camera
‘The video has gone crazy online. The little thing seems to have captured people’s imagination. It’s the cute factor I think – it is particularly cute.’
The owl has three siblings, all of which Gerald estimates to only be a matter of months old, however they are already growing independent from their parents.
Gerald said: ‘You often hope to capture something like this but no matter how hard you try or how often you go, you usually don’t. So I feel very lucky to have done this time.
‘It’s amazing. I have been going there for around three years to watch the family of owls and I have never seen one yawn, never mind catch it on camera. They’re amazing creatures.
The little owl has captivated hearts of social media users after Gerald’s footage was shared by BBC Springwatch, sending the sleepy animal viral with more than 400,000 views
The owl has three siblings, all of which Gerald estimates to only be a matter of months old, however they are already growing independent from their parents
Social media users were quick to point out how ‘infectious’ the owl’s yawn is. One wrote: ‘This what waking up on a Saturday morning, after a nice long lay in, all snuggled in your duvet, should look like, and then you decide to go back to sleep anyway!’
Gerald said: ‘You often hope to capture something like this but no matter how hard you try or how often you go, you usually don’t. So I feel very lucky to have done this time’
‘This is one of this year’s youngsters and was probably only born around May time. They were tiny at first but they are just growing up and starting to go off around the church yard on their own. They are getting much more independent.
‘There were four youngsters this year and all have survived and are doing well. I think it is always the same mum and dad but you can never be sure. I like to think they are.’
Social media users were quick to point out how ‘infectious’ the owl’s yawn is.
One wrote: ‘This what waking up on a Saturday morning, after a nice long lay in, all snuggled in your duvet, should look like, and then you decide to go back to sleep anyway!’