Dad’s hunting. Mom’s protecting. Their famed Hilton Head babies? They’re doing just fine.
If the past month felt like it flew by, it sped even faster for new great horned owl parents, Bayley and Joshua.
They reside in the famed nest, perched atop a Hilton Head Island pine tree, with an affixed camera nearby that live streams the owls’ every action. Their days are packed with hunting, protecting and fending off predators. But the most compelling reason to tune into the owls’ day-to-day life, beyond a rodent showdown, is to watch the parents’ pride and joy: their owlets, HH5 and HH6.
“Oh my goodness, HH5 is growing up!” gushed the Hilton Head Island Land Trust, the nonprofit that monitors the live stream Raptor CAM.
Yes, the owlet is growing up and it’s happening faster and cuter than imaginable.
Face it. It’s hard to look at any photo of a baby animal, barely determinable but adorably fluffy, and not let out an instinctive “aww!” In fact, upon getting a glimpse of these two owlets, it may be impossible.
As cracking eggs in early February, they brought anticipation. Newborn, looking like indistinguishable cotton balls cuddled together, they were heart-melting. But now, broad-chested, with thick velvety down, wispy ear tufts and small piercing eyes, the owlets are certifiable “aww!” material.
Recent photos from the land trust show the owlets huddled by mamma or each other, bands of brown, beige and black now peeking through the snow-white down. Their heads held high and chests puffed up. The two are undeniably precious, but HH5 and HH6’s world isn’t easy.
Since they were born, Bayley and Joshua have been tirelessly parenting.
An eagle threatened the great horned owl nest on Feb. 13. Mamma fended off the predator and returned to business. A squirrel recently tempted its fate. Bayley, as usual and with the support of Joshua, went after the rodent. These threats aren’t uncommon in the animal world. But Bayley and Joshua have no problem defending their territory.
Joshua, always nearby, is an avid hunter, making sure the menu is varied. A rabbit. A mouse. The land trust calls it the “prey pantry.”
“Big feast last night,” the nonprofit applauded in a Facebook post with an attached video of the whole family at supper.
While she’ll leave the nest occasionally, Bayley is mostly seen protecting or feeding her owlets. It’s exhausting work. But soon, at about 5 weeks old, her babies may be able to leave the nest or perch on branches close by, according to Audubon. After nine or 10 weeks, the babies can take flight.
While HH5 and HH6 bulk up and learn the ropes, they will grow at about 4-8 grams an hour and at a rate of 1-inch per week beginning from the time they hatch and continuing as juveniles to adults, the land trust said.
Their rapid development, however, is dependent on good health and adequate food-intake. Once full-grown, great horned owls’ innate anatomy makes them extraordinary hunters — with their sharp eyesight, strong hearing and the ability to soar up to 40 mph in near-silence.
To be part of the growing 1.3 million viewers watching this family story, go to https://www.hhilandtrust.org/eagle-cam.
This story was originally published March 5, 2024 at 8:00 AM.
