Barn owl chicks Ginger, Cinnamon & Clove grew up to be beautiful owls, despite having a very inattentive owl dad.
Willow and Ghost
This is the story of barn owls Willow and Ghost's first clutch. This pair laid four eggs in my Sycamore Stump nest box very late last summer. All four eggs hatched successfully, although sadly the fourth chick did not make it.
Ghost slacks in his duties
Although first time owl dad Ghost started off well, providing his partner with Willow regular meals whilst she incubated their eggs, once the first chick started hatching he disappeared for so long that poor Willow had to leave the eggs to find her own sustenance. These disappearing acts continued as the second and third chicks hatched until it felt like Ghost was living up to his name!
And is clueless with the chicks
As the chicks grew, thanks to the tireless support of their owl mum Willow, Ghost's attentions continued to be intermittent. Watch as one day he arrives with a meal but seems very unclear how to actually feed the chicks. Male barn owls do not feed their chicks and thankfully Willow is on hand to tear up the food so that the chicks can manage it.
Sadly the fourth chick dies
Unfortunately Ghost just doesn't bring in enough food and what little he does bring the older chicks devour so that the youngest just doesn't get enough and eventually perishes. Unlike kestrels barn owls do not share out food evenly to give all their chicks a chance and the elder siblings are normally considerably bigger than the youngest.
Remaining three flourish
However Willow's remaining owlets seem to take care of one another and even share their food. Watch as their pin feathers grow through and they flap their wings ready for their first flights.
#barnowls #owls #robertefuller
