The Perfect Hunter

A parent frightened away from the nest after the incubation period will instinctively return to the nest to continue caring for his or her young. However, during the day in April or May the young owlets are likely home alone. The parents will be found roosting in a quiet location nearby. Having worked all night hunting to feed the hungry chicks, they no doubt want some peace and quiet. While an adult Barn Owl may eat one rodent per night, each owlet may eat between two to five, depending on the size of the chick and the size of the rodent. During the course of the breeding season, as many as three thousand rodents and small birds may be consumed by the parents and their family of five owlets. If all goes well, young owls will have made their first flight to a nearby tree or building at approximately eight weeks of age. At this stage they begin final preparations for life on their own -- mastering their skills of flying and hunting, while learning how to avoid predators like the Great Horned Owl. The parents continue feeding the young for another four to six weeks. At approximately 18 months of age, the young will begin the reproductive process themselves.

As hunters, Barns Owls are well-adapted creatures. If you are lucky, you might be fortunate enough to see one in flight, but it is doubtful you will hear the flapping of its wings. Unlike the noisy flight of the pheasant, pigeon or duck, an owl’s extraordinary light body weight, wingspan, and feathers are uniquely designed to render them almost silent in flight. Barn Owls have the ability to fly silently and, compared to other large bird species, they have the reputation for being the most stealthy. There are reasons for that! The leading edge of an owl’s wing has feathers covered in small features called hooks and bows that break up the flowing air