NestCams Higlights Feed

Head Rotation

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Ziliz sent us in this great image of the owl rotating it's head. Most owls are about to turn their heads about 270 degrees!

All In the Spots

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Debbie B. sent us this image of the back of an owl. It was found that the proportion of the female plumage covered with spots is correlated with offspring parasite resistance. Thus, males prefer heavily spotted females.

Loafing

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Many aspects of how Barn Owls spend their time are unknown. However, it is theorized that they are such efficient hunters that they spend most of their time loafing around!

A Count

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

About six or eight ducklings hatched.

Five Warbler Eggs

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Earlier this morning, the fifth Prothonotary Warbler egg was laid. The cam host received permission from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to remove the cowbird egg from the nest.

Very Excited

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Debbie B. sent in this image of the two owls in the box. Everyone is very excited to see them both. As the months get colder, and breeding season approaches, we will probably see them together more often.

Two Owls!

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Flyhi, once again caught a great image this morning. Two owls were in the box. The female that has been roosting is on the left and a male is on the right.

Happy Owlaween!

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Flyhi thought it was appropriate to dress up our owl for its Halloween celebrations. So, she sent us in this image.

Feather Part

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

In this picture, the owl may look like it has a gash on its head, but it doesn't. The feathers part down the center of the barn owl's face. They are specifically arranged to help divert sound to the sensitive ears.

Looking Out

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Flyhi sent us this great image of the barn owl looking out of the box.

Facial Crest

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Unlike other bird species, Barn Owls have a sort of crest down the front of their face. This is caused by the parting of the feathers, as they are arranged around the head to help direct noise to the ears.

Empty Box

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

For the first time in a couple weeks, the owl is missing from the box first thing this morning, eastern time. With days getting shorter, the barn owl is able to stay out and hunt longer.

Peeking Out

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The camera went down for part of the weekend. However, it is back up with the female watching out the nest box entrance.

Stretch

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Flyhi sent us this image of the Barn Owl taking a nice stretch. With a 3.5 foot wing span, getting a good stretch in that box can be hard.

Frightened?

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

For a little while the owl seemed frightened of something outside the box. In North America, the Barn Owl's greatest threat is thought to be the Great Horned Owl. However, there has not been a lot of research done on this topic.

Made It Through

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Despite some crazy weather over the weekend, the barn owl cam has made it through. Here the female is sleeping soundly, looking like she doesn't have a care in the world.

Quizzical

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Flyhi sent us this image of the quizzical owl. It left the box right before the weather got bad.

Grooming

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Barn Owls, like other birds, are prone to having mites on their feathers. Thus, frequent grooming is an essential part of feather maintenance.

A Likely Nesting?

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Many viewers have been wondering about a second nesting attempt. Barn Owls have been known to nest year round. However, with no mating activity seen, it is doubtful that a nesting attempt is coming.

Same Owl?

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

When Flyhi sent us in this image, she brought up a good point. It is difficult to determine whether this is the exact same female seen before. The spot patterns and other common markers change with preening. However, since Barn Owls are fiercely territorial of nesting sites, there is a good chance it is the same owl.