Film | Tawny Owls Meet Foster Chicks for First Time | Luna & Bomber

After placing two rescued tawny owl chicks into their nest, tawny owls Bomber & Luna arrive and instantly set to to feed them. 

Rescue chicks

Tawny owls Bomber & Luna are excellent parents. So when I was handed two rescued owlets, I didn't hesitate in placing them with this owl pair's three natural chicks. The chicks had been found at the base of a tree next to a dead adult owl and, although possibly confused, were both relatively healthy. Roughly one month old, the foster chicks were only a few days older than Bomber & Luna's own chicks and when I placed them in the nest the siblings barely responded.

First feed

That very night both Bomber & Luna arrived with food for their chicks and if they noticed there were two extra beaks to feed they didn't show it. Watch as the foster chicks stand at the entrance to the nest calling for food. Bomber arrives and immediately feeds one. Later Luna has to barge passed the foster chicks to reach her own chicks and deliver dinner to the rest of her family.

Fostering in the wild

This tawny owl pair are accustomed to fostering extra chicks. Since 2022, when they adopted two rescue chicks after their own eggs failed, they have gone on to foster 12 chicks. The latest adoptees are almost ready to fledge, but Bomber will continue to feed them in the trees surrounding the nest until they are ready to become independent. I will of course help out by leaving extra food for this tawny owl family.