Page 10 - Fourways Gardens September 2021

Estate News

as voles and mice as well as frogs and
insects.
• Barn owls do not hoot, they screech and
sometimes hiss.
• Barn owls are one of the only birds in
which the older babies feed the younger
ones. The female owl will lay the first egg
and incubate immediately, laying the rest
of the eggs a few days apart thereafter.
By the time the last egg hatches, the first
hatched chicks are already developed far
enough so that they can feed the newest
hatchlings the food that mum delivers
to the nest. It has been recorded that
as many as 26 eggs have been laid by
one breeding pair in a single breeding
season! They usually lay around 5 to 6
eggs, so this extreme would only occur
when there is a huge abundance of prey,
especially mice.
(Credit: https://www.moholoholo.co.za/news/barn-owl-2/)

Breeding
Owls breed from late autumn through
summer. However, breeding habits
are variable, relying primarily on prey
availability and suitable breeding sites.
Similarly, the number of eggs produced
varies dramatically. Barn Owls (Tyto alba)
are able to alter their breeding habits in
response to prey numbers, the greater the
abundance of prey, the greater the number
of chicks produced. This allows them to
better combat prey population sizes.
This is exceedingly useful in controlling
populations prone to growth explosions
i.e. rodent and insect species.

During the period in which the owls
breed, activity is centred on the box. Food
exchanges and vocalisation are common
and are an indication of breeding activity –
this is the most exciting period. The owlets
leave the box approximately 4 – 5 weeks
after hatching, however, they are poor at
flying and very curious, which enables one
to observe them closely. Youngsters are
inclined to perch close to the ground and
exhibit all the playfulness of young kittens
– watching them play on the lawn is a truly
unforgettable experience.

During the remainder of the year, the box
will see less activity, although once owls
have bred in the box, they will continue
to utilise it year after year. The owls will
remain in the vicinity in order to protect
their territory, of which the box is an
important component.
(Credit: https://ecosolutions.co.za )

Fourways Gardens • 8 • September 2021