Male Barred Owl Dangles A Fish For His Owlets In The Nest Box - April 11, 2024

Watch the male arrive at the nest box entrance and dangle a fishy treat for his owlets. The owlets are interested, but they don't quite have the coordination and strength to eat on their own just yet. After none of the owlets take him up on the offer, the fish is dropped into the next box. Prey deliveries will look very different as the owlets get older and start competing for meals!
Stay tuned for another amazing year watching the Wild Birds Unlimited Barred Owls. Watch live at allaboutbirds.org/barredowls for information, highlights, and a link to the outside view.
In 2023, the female laid the first egg on March 11, and it was a full 5 days later that she laid the second egg, on March 16. She had left the first egg un-incubated for most of the first couple days at near-freezing temperatures, so we're unsure whether it will still hatch. Since settling into full-time incubation around the 13th/14th, she has consistently been on the egg. This laying behavior is quite unusual compared to the super-consistent laying pattern we've seen at this site over the last decade, suggesting that this may be a new or inexperienced female or pair. On April 20, after incubating for around 34 days, the female abandoned the incubation effort and their breeding efforts are over for 2023.
Stay tuned and learn what happens alongside us and the rest of the cam community!
Interested in learning more about owls? Sign up for our self-paced, online course "The Wonderful World of Owls" from the Cornell Lab's Bird Academy: hubs.la/Q012pdgP0
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Jim Carpenter, President and CEO of Wild Birds Unlimited, has hosted a camera-equipped owl box in his wooded backyard since 1999. Set more than 30 feet high against the trunk of a pignut hickory tree, this Barred Owl box was first occupied in 2006. Since then, the box has hosted several nests, including successful attempts since 2013.
The camera system was updated in 2021 with a 1080p Axis P3375-LVE security camera and connected to Jim’s house via 200 feet of ethernet cable. To keep predators like raccoons from investigating the nest, aluminum flashing was wrapped around the tree. An infrared illuminator in the box means you can keep track of the owls’ comings and goings throughout the night (don’t worry-the light is invisible to the owls).
Since the birds aren’t banded, we can’t tell whether this is the same pair as in past years. Although male and female Barred Owls look alike in their plumage, females can be up to a third bigger than males. You can also tell the difference between them by watching their behavior; only the female incubates the eggs and chicks, but the male is responsible for the bulk of the feeding, ferrying prey items to the incubating female, and sharing them with her inside and outside of the box.
Learn more about Barred Owls in our AllAboutBirds Species Guide at www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/b....
#birdcams #live #owl #barredowl #nest #birds #wildlife #nature #nowplaying #indiana

[@emazey5044]

Dad! That little one looking into the camera, "y'all seeing this? Sheesh." Adorable, Papa has them in training. Nature is amazing. 🥰

[@MBHsMOMA]

😂❤

[@TiffyK]

Daddy said come on little owl if you got to learn so adorable

[@TinkerTailor4303]

They make a valiant effort but aren't quite there yet.😊 "Thanks, Dad, but what are we supposed to do with that?!"😂

[@MBHsMOMA]

😂😂

[@ruth8268]

I mean...Mother Nature never ceases to amaze me. ❤❤❤

[@HeidiCampbell369]

Eyes are beginning to open up! 🥰

[@cindyanderson-vf1im]

I don’t think that’s a rat. Looks like baby bunny

[@esta1ful]

Aw a bunny. Well that’s all part of God’s nature. 😉

[@Westernwilson]

I did not know owls could get fish!

[@gibrath5514]

❤

[@user-uj4kk4ul9y]

❤❤❤

[@larrykrall626]

I just realized the rabbit in the corner, at least they are well fed.

[@uncmicha]

When will their eyes open fully?

[@user-dd6ng1wn1b]

Dad won't give them the fish because they haven't eaten their rat. You can't have any fish until you eat your rat.

[@TheBarberLady]

😅

[@elainedefelice1132]

I think I am going to throw up.

[@TamyB1000]

😂

[@maryben1921]

😂😂

[@sautee]

😂😂😂😂

[@evelynrivera8799]

Sweet. Perhaps, keepers should make sure the distance is good for adult owl to reach the babies to feed em. ❤

[@stickofbutter9733]

Anyone know what happened to one of the youngsters? Also, possibly a wound on a second little one?

[@OwlWhisperer]

The runt. Yes, it has a pinkish patch on its lower back. I’m a bit worried about it but hoping it will be fine.

[@elainepatterson9905]

Could have done without seeing the dead mammal lying in the back.

[@rosalindhb]

Typical dad rushing things. I think they are too young for that whole fish. Where's mom. 😂

[@MMDavis-fv1ir]

😂😂😂

[@MBHsMOMA]

lol!!

[@PriceWordplay]

Now that every human has to live on camera without any Freedom or Privacy I guess the animals are no longer able to either.

[@DonitaBuchheit]

That's gonna stink up the place if it doesn't get eaten! 😖

[@TinkerTailor4303]

To them it smells like Thanksgiving dinner!😄