Flightless owlet

After the small flightless owlet leaves the nest, it hops along the forest floor in search of a tree that grows at a slight angle to make it easier to climb. Then, using its claws, beak and vigorously flapping wings, it climbs up the tree. The chick climbs up until it reaches a branch on which it can perch. Over the next few weeks, the owlet learns to fly by climbing, jumping and gliding between branches. This period of chick development is called “branching”.

During the first two weeks after birth, the chicks are fed by both mother and father. After this, the mother leaves them, leaving the father to take care of the growing owlets for another two to three months. At this stage, young owls learn to hunt independently and prepare for their first winter.