From The Raptor Center

Take a good look because these little ones are masters of disguise in the wild!

When we got the call about a nest cavity that was discovered in a grounded tree, we found seven Northern saw-whet owl (NSWO) babies inside. A NSWO mother will have an average family size of five to six hatchlings so seven was quite unuSual. All seven were brought to TRC’s hospital where staff was able to save all but one sibling.

While their silhouettes look similar to that of adult NSWOS, juveniles have a distinctly different plumage. They sport a cinnamon belly, an unspotted brown back, and a white “V” between the eyes. Despite the difference in coloration and patterning, these juveniles are no easier to spot than adults in the wild.

Thankfully, these remaining six siblings came away from the experience generally unscathed. They spent 13 days under the care of our expert hospital staff who worked to get each owl’s weight up to about 100 grams (give or take a few). For context, that’s about the same weight as one stick of butter.

Juvenile NSWOS generally leave the nest around 27 to 34 days after hatching. Northern saw-whet owls are incredibly skilled hunting machines. All six have been successfully released back to the wild to begin their second chances at life.

  • pseudo@jlai.lu
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    4 months ago

    French butter brick have little marks so we can cut into 5 pieces of 50g. Very practical to cook with.

    • anon6789@lemmy.worldOP
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      4 months ago

      I wish ours had marks on the butter itself. The wrapper has the marks, but once you take that off, you’re on your own and most people don’t use a scale here for cooking.

      • pseudo@jlai.lu
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        4 months ago

        Well the mark are on the package but if you are a bit careful, you take butter for toast on one side only and your can take your measurement cutting the butter from the other side.

        • anon6789@lemmy.worldOP
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          4 months ago

          Ah, I thought they molded it in for you and I was jealous. 😆

          I keep cooking butter and regular use butter to avoid uneven chunks.