Barn owl chicks (Tyto alba) sheltering in a hollow log nest. This clutch of 5 chicks is typical in size. The chicks are relatively slow to develop. On average they take 8 weeks to fledge (develop full flight feathers) and remain dependent on their parents for a further 3 to 5 weeks. Barn owls prefer sheltered nesting sites because their lightly oiled plumage is vulnerable to soaking. They prey on small animals,mainly rodents. They hunt at night and can find their prey by sound alone. Barn owls are geographically widespread,being found on 5 continents. Photographed in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park,South Africa | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit: | Science Photo Library / Chadwick, Peter |
Taille de l’image : | 4603 px × 3081 px |
Model Release : | Non requis |
Property Release : | Non requis |
Restrictions : | - |