Owl Babies!

Owl fledglings are some of the cutest young birds you can see. They look like piles of dryer lint with eyes. But, finding them is the challenge. First, their parents are secretive and hide their young very well. Secondly, people who find them want to protect them and are secretive about sharing locations.
I was recently told about a family of Eastern Screech-Owl, living in a park. The person who shared this information with me knew I would act ethically and not post anything about the owl family until they had moved on, to protect them from being harassed by over-zealous birders and photographers.
Eastern Screech-Owls are robin-sized, nocturnal hunters. They are common in eastern North America. They can be found in the suburbs and city parks. Most people are unaware that they are our neighbours.

This family was in a city park, which provided roosting sites and lots of food. Eastern Screech-Owls eat large insects and small birds, but will also capture rodents, frogs, and other small creatures. Frequently, parents with hungry young will go after bigger prey. A few years back, I heard about a parent that brought a Northern Flicker to its brood.
The family I saw this time was composed of the parents and four youngsters. They were all the grey morph, which is most common in Toronto. The four young were in one tree, with an adult near them. The other adult was perched in another tree nearby.
While I was watching them, I could see the young moving around – stretching, grooming, and bothering each other. Both adults were asleep, because they were the ones working hard all night to feed those many mouths.
I never get tired of seeing owl families and it is a thrill every time I encounter one. If you come across an owl family, remember to think of their safety first. One visit is enough to enjoy them and take your pictures. Don’t harass them to get flight shots, especially at night when they are hunting. Wait a few weeks until they have fledged before you report them to eBird or social media. This will help ensure there are more owls for people to enjoy in the future.

Note: A photographer kindly shared the owl pictures above with me.