 Ward
and June are intensifying their efforts to prepare the owlets to move out
of the nest. This meant many more food deliveries and a little instruction
from the rail. Spencer is pictured here watching June as she appears to be
showing him the path that he should take to get out of the nest box
without falling to the ground. She had just walked to the end of the front
rail of the nest box and leaped to the roof of the camera box where she is
seen here. This is precisely the path that owlets have taken in the
past, but I had always assumed that they had found it for themselves. I've
never seen her do such a thing before and can think of no other reason for
such strange behavior. Spencer watched closely from the doorway, but did
not attempt to follow her lead. What is a very small jump for her would be
a major test for a flightless owlet. Penelope, on the other hand, remained
on the floor of the nest box, but did make many more failed attempts
to leap into the doorway next to Spencer. She would have a much better
chance if she made these attempts while Spencer was not perched in the
door, but has yet to discover this. |