Although I live in northeastern Minnesota, my Great Horned Owlets must feel they are kindred spirits to Australians!  The owlets fledged six days ago, and while I expected the older youngster to fly, I was surprised when the younger left the nest the that very same night. However over the course of the next few days I learned I was ‘not” wrong. The younger owlet wanted to leave the nest, but it really could not yet fly. This bird took a “walk about” each night, which is not unusual for many species of owls. In the six years I have watched Les and Amy raise a family next to Amity Creek, there have been owlets on the ground three times (50%).

How could I tell the youngest owlet took a walk? It was quite simple if one knows what to look for … I found the owlet for three days straight at almost eye level (lower than the nest). The young bird was perched on dead logs / branches that were long but stretched at an angle to the ground. The owlet had obviously used these bridges to climb back up into some trees.

Days 41 to 46 of the Owlet’s Lives

The Youngest Owlet on its Walkabout (photos taken over 4 days)

With yesterday morning both youngsters are now flying. The walkabout is over. I now find the Great Horned Owl family all together at the tops of some of the tallest white pines, which are NOT reachable via walking!

Up High in the Tree … the Older Sibling and then the entire family. (photos taken over 4 days, but the youngest owl did not join the party up high till the final day)

Both Great Horned Owlets have fledged (flown away from the nest)! While I expected the older owlet to fledge, I was caught by surprise when the younger bird fledged the very next evening. Perhaps it did not like living in the nest alone?!

Make certain you see yesterday’s flight training post with lots of images and a video of the older owlet almost taking flight (hanging on for dear life).

Owlet #1: 31 Days Old – Fledged prior Night

Owlet #2: 31 Days Old – Will fledge early this same evening

The oldest owlet fledged (took its first flight) last night, but not before it put on a fantastic flight training demo for me yesterday! Make certain you watch both the full video, and the slow motion clip! Throughout today I tried to find where the owlet had flown, but it is not easy. Nobody puts up a sign which says “find the owlet here”. However, I kept watching one of the parent owls, and is glances told me where to look, but it took hours!

The younger owlet is still in the nest cavity, and to date this youngster has not shown much desire to branch, let along fly. Remember, the younger bird was most likely born 7+ days after the older owlet. Regardless, the older owlet made its successful first flights, and is unlikely to come back to the nest.

Great Horned Owlet Flight Training! (40 days old)

Movies (full video and slow motion clip)

• Full Video (link for email subscribers)
• Slo Mo Clip (link for email subscribers)

And many still images from yesterday … the Amity Great Horned Owlets

Climbing / Flapping up to the Runway

Test Flight #1

Test Flight #2