Youngest owls are helpless

As chicks they have little down and no temperature regulation.

Development occurs rapidly.

Young are first seen at the entrance of the burrow between 2 to 3 weeks after hatching.

They begin to move to nearby burrows at about 25 days, and can fly at about 50 days of age.

Occasional handrearing occurs where there is little chance that a chick will survive. Some of these young birds will become imprinted, meaning that they have developed strong ties to their human handlers. The chances of their survival as wild birds is not as great. However these owls have a very important role with our program. They become the ambassadors for their species, representing Burrowing Owls at educational sessions and helping to spread the conservation message.