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?