MCNEAL, AZ (AZFamily) — Arizona scientists are saying hoo-ray for a surprising success story for the Whitewater Draw barn owl. The birds laid a second batch of eggs!
The two owls in the Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area in Cochise County are the focus of the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s live nest camera this spring.
The first new egg was spotted on Aug. 6, and two more eggs appeared last week.(Arizona Game and Fish Department)
The first new egg was spotted on Aug. 6, and two more eggs appeared last week.
Game and Fish said a second set of eggs only happens in about 10% of barn owl nests.
Earlier this year, the pair of owls successfully hatched five eggs. All five owlets survived to grow feathers and eventually fly away from the nest, officials said. The journey was streamed on the department’s live barn owl cam.
Now, all eyes, or rather, owl eyes, are on the three new eggs as scientists are hoping for similar success.
“With the coming monsoon rains, we are hoping for heat relief and a rodent population boom to help this second clutch turn into more successful owlets,” said Jeff Meyers, Arizona Game and Fish wildlife viewing program manager.
Biologists said the second batch of eggs shows the birds are thriving in a healthy habitat.
The department said this was the first time a second set of eggs had been seen on the live nest box camera. To follow the progress of the eggs, click or tap here.
Barn owls are the most widespread type of owl, appearing on all continents except Antarctica.
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