The oldest chick is 6 weeks old today. All three owlets now weigh more than either of their parents! The chicks snore and preen constantly at this age and they still sleep for long periods. The swift transformation from " ugly duckling" to beautiful Barn Owl is now underway.
Today was the first day that the chicks have been left alone in the box.
The eldest chick is now three weeks old and is bigger than his siblings, particularly the tiniest chick which is just 15 days old. They all look healthy but the continuing absence, for long periods, of the adult male bird will cause concern if the weather deteriorates. At the moment the hen bird is managing very well.
The owner of the nest box has been making regular observations and has noticed that the cock bird is not working very hard to bring prey. Normally the female only begins to hunt after the chicks are 16 days old. However, from last week, she had to leave the youngest at just 11 days old to find food. Her mate needs to up his game if they are ever to raise more than 3 chicks in the future. The ability and inclination of the male to hunt is thought to be the second most important factor in the success of a brood of Barn Owl chicks. The first , of couse, is abundance of field voles as prey.
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