My old friend Hempenstein sent this video, and at first I couldn’t figure out what was going on: I thought the owlet nestlings were listening for their mother. But then I realized that they were following a fly that was loose in the nest box. As Hempenstein commented on the video:
Jesus they’re strange-looking, but 2+ min of them is somehow fascinating to watch.
They are of course barn owls (Tyto alba).
h/t: Hempenstein
So cute; like little feathered kittens- “WTF is THAT?”
We used to raise turkeys years ago, and an easy way to get them some extra protein was to put a light above their pen for a few hours after dark: it was hilarious watching them chase the moths and beetles that would come flying in.
Check out your cat sometime. They will become entranced with a fly or two.
Do I hear laser pointer?
That is great! It is like they are all thinking, “watizzit?”
The bird on the right is exhibiting what is called gular flutter which is a bird’s way of panting.
Looks like the “chittering” my cats sometimes do when there’s a squirrel out the back door.
I’m kind of surprised that their close-up vision is good enough to follow that fly.
That’s what happens when the box is bugged.
Their Head movements are fascinating and funny.
Just needs a soundtrack. 🙂