Great Horned Owl Chicks

This is the time of the year when great horned owl chicks are starting to leave the nest. Some of the early hatches may be fledging but most are just starting the branching stage. Prior to fledging the young owls will climb around on the tree branches around the nest. This is called branching. At The Raptor Center we see a lot of baby owls at this time of year as some of the branching owls end up on the ground. The best thing for the owls is to go back to the nest, so after a quick examination to make sure they are not injured they are returned home.