BARN OWLS, ISRAEL, LIVE WEBCAM
- Local Time
- Location: Kibbutz Snir, Hula Valley, Israel
- Source: Charter Group Birdcams
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Info: Live streaming webcam showing barn owls in Israel. The barn owl nest box shown is located in Kibbutz Snir in the
Hula Valley in the north of Israel.
Barn owls are used by farmers in this agricultural area to control rodents in the fields, rather than using chemical means.
The webcam is managed by The Charter Group of Wildlife Ecology.
More info: Barn owl owlets are naked when they hatch but soon develop a thin covering of down. At this stage they are still not able to keep themselves warm so the female barn owl will brood the owlets until the eldest is around 3 weeks of age. The male brings small mammals to the nest which the female rips in to small pieces to feed the owlets - by 3 weeks they are able to swallow a whole shrew or mouse.
Around 3 weeks of age, the owlets replace their down with a thicker covering and then they are able to keep themselves warm This frees up the female who can then assist with hunting and providing food.
By 5 weeks, the owlets can run, jump and hiss and the characteristic heart-shaped face appears as do the flight feathers. Wing flapping exercises begin around 7 weeks.
By 8-9 weeks, owlets will have made their first short flights and by 10 weeks of age most young Barn Owls look like adults and are quite competent flyers.