2023 Barred Owl Cam Season Ends With Inviable Eggs

It was an interesting season for the owls on the Wild Birds Unlimited Barred Owl Cam. There was plenty of excitement over the incubation period while the female cared for her two eggs, but as the days passed, it was clear that neither of the eggs were viable in 2023.  

The female laid her first egg on March 11 but left it unattended until she laid a second egg on March 16. Both eggs remained unhatched well past the typical hatching window for Barred Owls (28–33 days), and the female eventually abandoned incubation duties at the nest. Even though we didn’t get to watch owlets grow up in the nesting box this season, it was interesting to watch the behavior of the parents as they continued nightly visits to the nest box for more than a week after their failed attempt.

Thanks to everyone who watched the owls with us this season. We hope to be return in 2024 with a successful nest!