Barn Owl Nest Cam

Wow. This is extraordinary to witness. The hatching of Barn Owl chicks live on webcam! She laid 6 eggs and at least 3 have hatched. One can hear the sound of the chicks hissing and growling as they beg, the mother’s bill tapping on the wooden box and even dogs barking in the background!

The box is very active with the mother constantly attending to the chicks.  I’ve just watched her tear off meat and feed small morsels to the chicks – so cool.

The link is     http://www.ustream.tv/theowlbox

or, one can google  “Molly’s Barn Owl”

Barn Owl clutch sizes vary with the availablity of prey – rodents. In good years they can raise a dozen chicks! The eggs hatch asynchronously, meaning that she began to incubate before the last eggs were laid. Consequently the chicks hatch over a period of time, a day or two apart, as opposed to simultaneously. This strategy ensures that at the oldest chicks have a better chance of survival.

Since Barn Owls are nocturnal, don’t expect to see the male bringing in food until after dark.