Did you know?
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Great horned owls do not build nests, they occupy existing nests such as eagle, hawk or even squirrel. They line the nest with feathers.
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The incubation period (prior to brooding) is approxmately 30 - 35 days.
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Owls start incubating after the first egg is laid, unlike hawks who do not start incubating until the full clutch is laid.
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Great horned owls generally mate for life (monogamous), unless something happens to the mate.
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The male will feed the female while she is incubating. Around the last 14 days of incubation he stops hunting in the area so the prey is available to the female when she starts hunting for herself and the owlets.
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Once the owlets hatch the male will leave the area and only come back if the female calls him in for help defending the owlets.
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Eggs are usually laid and hatch 2 days apart. They even up in size (despite the age difference) at about 21 days old.
BIG NEWS!!
29 March - (approx. 15 days old) - I saw an owlet today. I am assuming there are two in the nest, I only saw one today, but the other is probably tucked in.
Clear, 48F NNE winds 5mph
ID - GHOW03-29-23
ID - GHOW03-29-23-2
ID - GHOW03-29-23-3
ID - GHOW03-29-23-4
ID - GHOW03-29-23-5
ID - GHOW03-29-23-6
As I was observing her, I noticed her reaction to something behind me to the left. I looked back and saw a juvenile bald eagle fly off.
ID - GHOW03-29-23-8
ID - GHOW03-29-23-9
She settled down once it was gone. ID - GHOW03-29-23-7