BARRED OWLETS

The owlets are about six weeks old and resting in a tree close to their nesting site.

Barred owls fledge between four and five weeks of age. They still rely on their parents for support for several more weeks. Juvenile barred owls are not able to fly when they fledge. They need food brought to them and taught how to hunt. After fledging, young owls do not return to the nest cavity. Instead, they perch on branches near the nest site. If a young owl falls to the ground, it can use its sharp talons and beak to climb back up a tree. 

Parents continue to bring food to their young owls until they can hunt independently. Around ten weeks of age, young owls can fly short distances. By 12 weeks of age, they have mastered the art of flight and can fly for sustained periods.

The owlets exhibited a profound appreciation for one another.

© Chris LeBoutillier