From ARC
Nonamé's Nursery School is back in session! 🦉
The great horned owlets have begun arriving at ARC, and Nonamé was ready for them. First into the mew were two siblings orphaned when their nest was blown down; Nonamé quickly took them under her wing (literally). A few days later, three more owlets arrived from various locations. After a careful evaluation, they joined Nonamé's brood.
Nonamé is now a mother of five, making sure every owlet is fed, warm, and cared for. While we enter the mew periodically for health and welfare checks, we strictly limit our time with them to prevent imprinting. This is why Nonamé's role is so vital: she teaches these owlets how to be great horned owls, modeling essential behaviors that we simply cannot replicate.
You might only count four pairs of owlet eyes in the picture, but there is a fifth owlet hidden behind our protective momma, Nonamé. In order to keep human interference to a minimum, our bright pink "Nonamé's Nursery School" signs are posted near and around the enclosure.
You all may have had a laugh at Nonamé's nest the other week, but she showed us!
Go Nonamé!
Our lady needs a raise!
She's sure earning her keep, and it probably makes her really happy too.
Even males occasionally get really into the fostering. It really helps the owlets to have someone to teach them proper owl behavior, so it's a total win for everyone involved. I'm sure they will get some choice meals!