mikeb@uhccux.uhcc.hawaii.edu (Mike Burger) (08/25/89)
I have a very pretty, though time-dimmed, memory of seeing a family of Saw Whet Owls. I was wondering what the usual hatching size is for this bird. This was many years ago in Ponca City, Oklahoma. We had a large yard and a bird bath near the back door. In a large tree covered with ivy, a family of Saw Whet Owls set up shop. They made a nest. The two parents would come down each night just as it was getting dark and visit the bird bath which we cleaned out each day. One night I recall seeing NINE of the owls on the bird bath, the two parents, none too big themselves, and seven very tiny owls. We could sit on the screen porch very still only about ten feet away. The arrival of the owls was announced by the other birds that threw a literal fit. I very much remember how unbelievable cute the baby owls were. The other birds were very nasty to them and would swoop down at them and make a terrible chatter. The owls would just ignore them. Is it possible that my memory is correct? I distictly remember seven baby owls. We had a special barrel house very high in a tree that was frequented by a Barn Owl family, but I do not remember more than one or two babies from that family. What is a typical family size for the tiny Saw Whet Owl? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Mike Burger, Chemistry, 2545 The Mall | University of Hawaii | BITNET: MIKEB@UHCCUX.bitnet | Honolulu, Hawaii, 96822 | INTERNET: mike@helium.chem.hawaii.edu Phone: (808) 948-7503