Owls often capture human curiosity. Their young, known as owlets, have a unique charm. Understanding their developmental stages and knowing how to act responsibly if one is encountered in the wild helps ensure their well-being.
Identifying Baby Owls
Baby owls are known as owlets or chicks. Newly hatched owlets are often blind, covered in short, white, downy feathers, and appear quite helpless with disproportionately large bills and legs. As they mature, their down becomes thicker and fluffier, typically gray or brown, giving them a rounded appearance.
Owlets also feature large, round eyes that are usually open by two weeks of age, and their faces begin to flatten and become more pronounced. While some species like Great Horned Owls develop feather tufts that resemble “horns” as they grow, others like Barred Owls have more rounded heads without these features. Fledglings, which are older owlets preparing to leave or having recently left the nest, show more developed, adult-like feathers, though they may still retain some wispy down, particularly on their heads.
Life and Development of an Owlet
A baby owl’s journey begins with hatching, typically after an incubation period of 28 to 33 days. Newly hatched owlets, or hatchlings, are entirely dependent on their parents for warmth and food. The female owl typically broods the chicks, while the male primarily hunts and provides food for the family.
As owlets enter the nestling stage, they grow rapidly, often doubling their weight within their first month. The female tears prey into smaller, manageable pieces for the young, and by three weeks, some owlets can swallow small prey whole. Owlets begin practicing wing exercises and moving around the nest, eventually reaching a “branching” phase where they explore branches near the nest before their first flights. Fledging, or leaving the nest, typically occurs between 6 to 8 weeks of age, though they may not be able to fly proficiently at this time. Parents continue to feed fledglings for several weeks, teaching them hunting skills through observation and practice, though the instinct to hunt is largely innate.
What to Do If You Encounter a Baby Owl
Finding a baby owl on the ground can be concerning, but it is often a healthy fledgling undergoing a natural stage of development. Young owls frequently leave the nest before they can fly well, a process called branching, with parents continuing to care for them nearby. Observe from a distance to determine if the owlet is truly abandoned or injured.
If the owlet appears uninjured and is in a safe location away from immediate danger like roads or pets, it is generally best to leave it alone. Its parents are likely nearby and will continue to feed it. However, if the owlet is visibly injured, in an unsafe location, or if you are certain it is a species like a Barn Owl, which typically needs to be returned to the nest if found on the ground, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator. Do not attempt to care for or feed the owl yourself, as this can cause harm and is often illegal. Always prioritize contacting professionals for guidance.