Great horned owls can now be seen on nests. This signals the beginning of the 2009 nesting season since this species is our earliest nesting bird in Minnesota. They nest in forest areas in hollow trees, or old hawk, crow and squirrel nests. No nest is prepared by the owl itself; and the only contribution the owl makes to its home is a few feathers from its body.
The usual clutch is two eggs for the great horned owl. The incubation period is about 28 days, the young remain in the nest about six or seven weeks, and they are unable to fly until they are 11 to 12 weeks old. If eggs are laid in February, it will be June before the young are partially able to care for themselves. During this time and probably for a few more weeks, they are fed by their parents.
The horned owl is a very generous provider for its young. It takes all manner of prey -- insects, worms, fish, amphibians, birds and mammals such as rabbits and striped skunks.
