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Spotted Eagle Owls – They grow up so fast

JOBURG – Young owls usually remain in the nest for close to 6 weeks.

Spotted Eagle Owl eggs hatch between 30 and 32 days and develop into fully fledged owlets in the next 45 to 55 days. 

After 2-3 days the owlets start responding to sound by lifting their heads. They sleep most of the time for the first two weeks but continue to feed heavily.

At 17 days the owlets can sit up, and by 21 days they can stand up and become more active by flapping their wings, nibble on toes and start preening themselves.

At 25 days the owlets start showing threat behaviour towards intruders, and at one month they are clambering around the nest, and start showing interest to the outside world. It is at this stage young owls are most prone to falling out of the nest.

Young owls usually remain in the nest for close to 6 weeks. Towards the end of the nesting period, young owls start pouncing on objects to practice their hunting skills. Young owls can’t fly properly and even when they leave the nest, they remain near the nest to sponge a meal from the parents from time to time.

At the age of 4 months, young owls become independent and permanently leave the nest.

 

By Eco Solutions

 

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