Page 497 - Hand rearing birds second

Owls 493

should be placed safely on a protected heating pad set on the lowest setting and should be posi-
tioned with up to 80% of the floor on heat to create a heat gradient. Owlets should seek or use heat
as they would a warm‐bodied parent. Any individual actively and continually moving off or away
from heat should be watched closely because this is often the first observable behavior change of
dying chicks. If noted, consult an avian veterinarian immediately.
Artificial nests should be designed with respect to each species’ nesting style and should be
placed in the back corner of the cage or incubator. Cavity‐nesters should be offered a nest box large
enough to allow movement, with solid walls for natural security as well as for a physical boundary.
These species tend to huddle and lean in corners and will likely fall over the rim of conventional
open nests. Tree‐nesters should be offered bowl‐shaped nests with a few small sticks in the middle.
The edges should be high enough to crouch behind and lean against but low enough to reach heads
out over the rim (Figure 31.2). Heavy crocks and dog bowls padded and covered with fabric can be
used as a nest structure for larger bodied clutches and smaller heavy bowls may be ideal for smaller
species. Many owl species will sleep with their neck limp and head hanging over the edge.
Whatever style of housing is used, the front of the cage should be adequately covered to provide
the nest with a visual barrier to human activity but should also allow partial exposure to light.
Thermoregulatory abilities develop as feathers grow, and supplemental heat can be gradually
removed once the bird is adequately insulated.
Owlets may be housed in heavy, dark plastic kennels. The nest should be placed in a back corner
with adjacent holes covered. Natural perches of the appropriate size for these birds should be pro-
vided to ease the first step out of the nest. The size of the kennel should be at least as wide as the
length of the wingspan and should be enlarged as the birds grow.
As vision improves with age, the young nestlings become increasingly aware of their surround-
ings. It is presently believed that programmed identification and recognition behaviors develop
during this period (McKeever 1987). Social development and permanent associations are consist-
ently linked to this stage of cognitive development. Owlets that remain in their natural environ-
ment through this stage usually exhibit much wilder and more aggressive behaviors. They actively
respond to human presence and seem to recognize natural threats. Those that were captive or in a
modified environment during this stage may still recognize and avoid handling and human activ-
ity in general, but they are usually less aggressive and behave more passively in comparison.
It is imperative that growing owls are housed with conspecifics. Ideally, surrogate or foster owl
parents should be present or at least visible at all times, and human presence should be reduced or,
if possible, eliminated. As soon as each owlet is reliably self‐feeding, growing, and able to maintain
body temperature, the cage should be set up outside for increasing lengths of time until the bird is
acclimated to ambient outdoor temperatures. If extreme weather and drastic temperature changes
necessitate indoor shelter for these young babies, they should still be placed near a window for
visual stimuli. Protected structures with open doors or windows (porches, garages, sheds) may
help acclimation in questionable climates. If the temperature drops more than 15 °F (8 °C), a sup-
plemental heat source should be offered as an option to all ages.

Pre-fledglings­and Older­Juveniles
Owlets quickly become more physically active and mobile. They start to stand and will begin to
branch or climb on and around the nest edge and beyond (Figure 31.5). In many tree‐nesting spe-
cies, family groups (including the mother bird as well as siblings of varying sizes) may be easily
observed throughout the tree. As active and mature as these adolescents may appear, their flight
feathers have a long way to go. Fledglings raised in captivity should be housed outdoors as early as
possible. They spend much of their time watching their new world from the comfort of their perch.