Owner Reveals What It's Like to Have an Owl as a Pet; Meet Khali

If having an owl at home is already unusual, imagine one that loves taking showers and barges into the bathroom while you're in there. Sounds like something straight out of the wizarding world of Harry Potter, right? Well… not quite!

This is the reality of Amanda Valverde Canabarro, who is raising an owl in an apartment in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

In an interview with Amo Meu Pet (our Brazilian website about pet news), the owner explains why she adopted an owl, what care is necessary, her pet’s personality, eating habits, and other surprising facts.

Who Is Khali and How Did She Become Famous?

Khali is a small apartment-dwelling owl who became famous through a video shared by her owner on TikTok. Full of quirks, she certainly sparks curiosity in those who watch her antics with her owner.

One viral classic on video platforms shows the owl barging into the shower stall to bathe alongside her human.

The moment, which has been viewed over 10 million times, left internet users even more intrigued about what it's like to raise an owl—especially outside of its natural habitat.

Among Khali’s greatest passions, Amanda listed two favorites: “She loves taking showers and stealing my socks to hide them all over the house!”

Why an Owl?

If you’re wondering about the surprising adoption, get comfortable—because here comes a story. Amanda, who is studying veterinary medicine, wanted to intern at a wildlife rehabilitation center, so she took a falconry course to strengthen her resume.

“During the course, I was fascinated by the idea of having one and thought it would fit perfectly with my lifestyle, since I wanted an animal I could interact with but that also liked being alone (and I’m allergic to cats, lol),” she said.

Amanda got Khali through an exotic animal team, who picked her up from a licensed breeder in the state.

“When you buy from a government-authorized breeding center, the animal comes with a leg band and an invoice, which you must keep to prove it’s legally permitted. If you want to take the animal outside your city, you must request an ATG (Animal Transit Guide),” she explained.

What’s It Like to Live with Khali? Her Personality and Care

If you’re already excited and thinking about getting an owl, keep in mind that they require very specific care and a significant financial investment!

“It’s a lot more work than I was told. But I love having her around. She always makes me smile. She’s very shy, gets scared easily, and often doesn’t like being touched. But if you approach her gently, she’ll let you pet her for hours,” she explained.

Like other wild animals, owls require specialized care, regular veterinary check-ups, and close observation for any behavioral changes.

“Like many wild animals, owls are very good at hiding signs of illness. Unlike other birds, you can't clip the wings of raptors like Khali, because doing so can cause muscle atrophy. They also need falconry training, as their wings can atrophy from lack of use,” she points out.

What Does She Eat?

Perhaps the most surprising thing is her diet — I had no idea!

“Barn owls like Khali typically eat three mice when they’re young, and two once they reach adulthood. I buy them frozen, and they can get pretty expensive. Another option besides mice is quail, which tends to be more affordable,” says Amanda, who has even posted a video showing how she prepares her food.

Other Fun Facts

Despite loving baths, Khali drinks very little water; her species can go months without drinking and not become dehydrated.

“She loves playing in the water — in fact, she plays just like a cat. She loves chasing strings and dropping things just for the fun of watching them fall,” she concludes.

Watch some videos of Khali here:

Tell us, would you ever consider adopting an owl? See more of Khali here.