The Postnatal Development of Two Broods of Great Horned Owls (Bubo virginianus)

Inside the walls of a university museum, a pair of great‑horned owls built a modest nest on a metal ledge high above the ground. From February through April, researchers recorded the daily progress of three hatchlings in 1945, and later a single chick in 1946, observing everything from incubation timing to the fledglings' first flights. The study offers vivid, step‑by‑step insight into how these raptors develop in the unusual setting of a stone‑clad campus building.

Listeners will hear detailed descriptions of the owls' nesting habits, the parents’ diligent care, and the subtle changes in chick behavior as feathers replace down. The authors also note how the surrounding landscape—a nearby cottonwood, city streets, and a small patch of trees—provides both refuge and challenges for the birds. By the end of the observation period, the young owls are ready to leave the nest, giving a clear picture of early life in a species that is both formidable and fascinating.