Long-eared Owl Banding

Last week we visited a Long-eared Owl nest to band the five, resident chicks before they fledged. One interesting thing about the nest: all five chicks displayed obvious, chronological size differences, typical to the species. The exception was the youngest, who was notably smaller than all others, including the one closest in age. It seems likely that there could have been an egg or chick in this gap that did not survive. All other five chicks appeared to be thriving - a great thing to see in light of other, failed, Long-eared nests we have monitored this season.