2022 Barred Owl Cam Season Highlights | Wild Birds Unlimited | Cornell Lab

Everybody's favorite Barred Owls returned to their nest
box in Indiana to lay three eggs in the spring of 2022.

The female kept her eggs warm, and her feathers primped
and preened during the month-long incubation period.

Her mate provided a bounty at night, hunting an array of
mammals, birds, worms, and aquatic prey like this crayfish. He'd deliver whatever he could carry. Even snakes, frogs,
and salamanders made their way into the nest box.

Come April, the owls prepared for the arrival of their chicks. Two fuzzy owlets made their debut on April 1
and April 4. The third egg did not hatch.

Nights were filled with ravenous feedings, and the
owlets' eyes were often bigger than their stomachs. Lazy days featured scenes of the siblings huddled
together, resting and digesting after the night's events.

The owlets were named April and May after the months
that we watched them grow inside the nest box.

As weeks passed, the owlets grew curious and eventually
investigated and consumed the unhatched egg. Upon discovering the mess, the female was
quick to remove the remains of the old egg.

The owlets' rapid growth continued for more than one
month thanks to the care of their devoted parents. On May 7, the elder owlet gained enough courage to
take the first leap from the nest box onto a nearby tree. After a few minutes, the fledgling 'gracefully' fluttered
safely to the ground, where it began life in the forest.

The younger owlet followed suit the next day. We wish
them all the best on their path towards independence! Thanks to our partners at Wild Birds Unlimited and everyone
who watched and learned along with us. See you in 2023!

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Jim Carpenter, President and CEO of Wild Birds Unlimited, has hosted a camera-equipped owl box in his wooded backyard since 1999. Set more than 30 feet high against the trunk of a pignut hickory tree, this Barred Owl box was first occupied in 2006. Since then, the box has hosted several nests, including successful attempts since 2013.

The camera system was updated in 2021 with a 1080p Axis P3375-LVE security camera and connected to Jim’s house via 200 feet of ethernet cable. To keep predators like raccoons from investigating the nest, aluminum flashing was wrapped around the tree. An infrared illuminator in the box means you can keep track of the owls’ comings and goings throughout the night (don’t worry—the light is invisible to the owls).

Since the birds aren’t banded, we can’t tell whether this is the same pair as in past years. Although male and female Barred Owls look alike in their plumage, females can be up to a third bigger than males. You can also tell the difference between them by watching their behavior; only the female incubates the eggs and chicks, but the male is responsible for the bulk of the feeding, ferrying prey items to the incubating female, and sharing them with her inside and outside of the box.


Learn more about Barred Owls in our AllAboutBirds Species Guide at https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/barred_owl/id.

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