It looks like one (or maybe two) of the youngest didn't make it. Today I see a non-moving white spot on the floor. I think I see three large owlets, although perhaps there is a fourth back there.
barn owls 1 dead.png - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)
I only see three owlets. This morning the biggest was trying to eat a whole rodent all by itself while the smallest really wanted it. The third is at the back wall in the first image. Mom is watching in the second image. I'm not sure how this will end. Will mom tear it up for the others eventually, or will big one manage to get it down?
3 barn owlets.png - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte) barn owl mom watching.png - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)
barn owl 3 sizes.png - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)Here we have all three owlets. From left to right is medium, small, and big. Big is somewhat back from the other two, so she doesn't look as big as she really is.
Evidently the 2 missing owlets were killed by the other 3. I have never seen this happen in a Barn Owl nest before. This warning comes up on the site now before you enter. Food must be scarce or the dad is not providing enough food?
Siblicide Advisory Siblicide has been observed at this nest and may occur again because of competition for food. Siblicide is a natural event and a well-documented behavior for nestlings of some bird species, including Barn Owls. Please choose an option below to keep watching or to view another cam.
I think there is a distinction to be made here between outright siblicide and death by starvation. Osprey and many eagles species have blatant siblicide where there much is aggression between siblings, especially when the food supply is low. On the other hand, in all the barn owls I have watched, the problem is that the smallest don't get fed, die of starvation, and then are fed to the ones that are left. The parent often favors the larger offspring and thus makes the problem worse. I'd like to know more about this "well-documented behavior." Has anyone, in a barn owl or any owl species, seen an owlet kill it's sibling? The cam operators that presented that "Advisory" may not be making the distinction I have presented above.
We watched Casper deliver the biggest rat last night and watched in disbelief as one of the owlets swallowed it! Debbiemango videoed it. You gotta watch this one!
They've been very active the last 2 days. I watch them early in the morning while I have my coffee and just sit here and giggle at them. Two of them stepped out of the box but got right back in before too long. All three have the longest legs I've ever seen. Must be a Texas thang. LOL!
A few days make a huge difference! These 3 are morphing into beautiful Barn Owls now. I love watching them in the morning when they're focusing on some unseen thing and bobbing their heads turning them sideways and upside down. There's one owlet that likes to stand on the rim of the box bobbing it's head and trying to stay awake. It will bob and bob and then fall asleep for a second making it unsteady and losing it's balance. LOL! The youngest one and the one on the rim seem to stay together while the 3rd owlet is more of a loner and likes that back left corner. It stares down at something on the floor in fascination bobbing and weaving it's head and has that "stink eye" look. The young one still has a lot of baby fuzz but the one on the rim helps preen it. I guess it figures since the young one is going to follow it around it might as well help it fix it's hair. II still can't get over those legs.
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Thu May 29, 2014 7:49 am
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Wholly Crap!! I just wish I could have been in the chat room with you patti!! 
They look like a cross between an owl and a Toucan Sam!! LOL Nice job though on the phat rat.
I was dancing to the music
. 
You tell a wonderful owl story, patti. There is so much life and personality that you give them. 
The fifth picture really shows the gams. 
Very cute!! 
