First Baby Owls of the Year

Baby season has officially begun at Carolina Raptor Center! Over the past month, we’ve welcomed the first babies of the year—Great Horned Owls. These owls are among the earliest nesters, with eggs hatching as early as January. This means they are often the first baby raptors in our Raptor Hospital each season.

One of our new patients, Great Horned Owl #26947, was found on March 16th on the ground at a golf course, its nest destroyed. With no way to be reunited with its parents, this little one was brought to us for specialized care.

Caring for a Baby Owl

Great Horned Owls are altricial, meaning they hatch in a helpless state and require extensive parental care to survive. Unlike precocial birds, which are more developed at hatching and can move around on their own, altricial owlets are entirely dependent on their caregivers for food, warmth, and protection.

Despite their fragile start, baby Great Horned Owls grow at an astonishing rate. At hatching, they can weigh around 35 grams, and within one month, they can exceed 800 grams! Their rapid growth requires a high-calorie diet, primarily consisting of whole prey items that are ripped into bite-size pieces by their parents.

Our dedicated Raptor Hospital staff and volunteers work tirelessly to provide these young raptors with the nutrition they need by cutting mice and chicks into small pieces. Patient #26947 is fed three times a day and can be fed nearly half its body weight! In just nine days, this little owl grew from 571 grams to 805 grams.

A New Roommate for #26947

A few days after arriving, Patient #26947 got a new roommate—another Great Horned Owl from a different nest. Since baby owls cannot regulate their body temperature effectively at this stage, they naturally huddle together for warmth. Having a fellow owlet also helps them learn important skills and behaviors, such as hunting and preening, which can be crucial for their future development and survival in the wild.  

Protecting Their Wild Instincts

Providing expert care for these owlets goes beyond just feeding them. To ensure they retain their natural fear of humans and develop the skills needed for survival, our team follows strict protocols to prevent imprinting. We minimize human interaction, use puppets for feeding, wear disguises to conceal our form, and when possible, introduce them to a surrogate adult owl to serve as a role model.

What Should You Do If You Find a Baby Bird?

Not all baby birds need rescuing! Many young birds leave the nest before they are fully flighted, and their parents are often nearby. Before intervening, check our flowchart to determine the best course of action. Sometimes, the best help you can give is to leave them alone.