SNN (ScrollingNetworkNews) ✿ ✿ Our Mel and Sydney returned to their nesting box with plenty of bonding occurring..but after 2.5 months of Sydney in the box from Dec 2013 to mid Feb 2014, the lack of prey gifts from Mel ( perhaps due to the severe and historic drought underway in California)and they have forgone the nesting process this year as many other raptors ✿ Compared to other owls of similar size, the Barn Owl has a much higher metabolic rate, requiring relatively more food. Pound for pound, Barn Owls consume more rodents – often regarded as pests by humans – than possibly any other creature. ✿ We remind viewers that sometimes owlets may not survive - the parents will dispose of things in "The Owl Way" -viewer discretion is advised, this is nature and the "Owl way". ✿ ~ ✿ “Animals, like us, are living souls. They are not things. They are not objects. Neither are they human. Yet they mourn. They love. They dance. They suffer. They know the peaks and chasms of being.” ― Gary Kowalski, The Souls of Animals ✿ Each species is a masterpiece, a creation assembled with extreme care and genius." ~ E.O. Wilson

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Adventures with Mel and Syd

Adelaide & Hunter
At twelve days old the body is partially covered in down and tiny quills. The head is almost entirely bald, and the distinctive facial disc has yet to develop.



Their eyes are still cloudy and unfocused  and the pale, pearly pink talons are still soft, with no gripping power in the feet. Even at this young age, they can swallow chunks of gophers and may even be able to swallow a small prey item like a mouse, complete with skin, bone, hair, all of which are essential to their physical development.  They can be fed up to four times a day, as much as they want to eat, and spend most of their time, when not eating, sleeping it off and growing... and growing... and growing.



Our fan favorite of the day is a capture of Sydney feeding Hunter. By chatter and viewer willowfeather
Mel delivered 3 treats to our owls last night. All Gophers!

Owls have a very expressive body language. Many species will bob and weave their head, as if curious about something - this is in fact to further improve their three-dimensional concept of what they are viewing.

Owlet Growth chart:  by Day 40 they are at full height/wing length. Future "growth" is feathers and bone strength.

Can you see by this chart where Adelaide and Hunter are?