Buster is on a mission in this one. Bella is sitting on five eggs and relying on him for every meal, but days of heavy rain have made hunting almost impossible. By the time this was filmed, she was getting very hungry.
Then the storms finally cleared, and Buster really stepped up. If you've got sound, switch it on, as these two talk to each other a lot.
Press play when you're ready, and watch right to the end. You can also watch it on YouTube.
What's happening in the video
This was filmed in late May 2024. Bella had five eggs to keep warm, with the first one due to hatch the following week, on 3rd June. While she sits tight on the eggs, it's Buster's job to keep her fed.
The trouble was the weather. Day after day of rain meant Buster couldn't get out to hunt properly, and Bella's need for food was mounting. As soon as the rain stopped, he was off, and in a very short time he was back with one food gift after another. You can hear the pair chattering away to each other as he brings each one in.
Why rain is so hard for barn owls
- Their feathers aren't waterproof. Barn owl feathers are soft and fluffy, built for silent flight rather than bad weather. In heavy rain they get soaked, which makes flying hard work.
- They can't hear their prey. Barn owls hunt mostly by sound, listening for voles moving in the grass. The noise of heavy rain drowns that out.
- Long wet spells are dangerous. A few wet days are bad enough, but a long spell of rain in the nesting season can leave a whole family short of food.
That's why the moment the rain clears, a good male barn owl gets straight out there. You can read more about how barn owls catch their food in my guide to barn owl hunting.
A real grafter
When Buster first met Bella, he was a bit naive and not much of a hunter. You can see how far he'd come by the time this was filmed. Buster is a real grafter and always looks after his young. I reckon that's why he's so popular with the lady owls!
What to look out for
- The food gifts. Count how many times Buster comes back with prey in a short space of time.
- The chatter. Listen to the pair calling to each other as he arrives. It's very different from the screech most people know.
- Bella on the eggs. She barely moves. Barn owl eggs take about a month to hatch, and the female keeps them warm almost the whole time.
📺 Tip: the live streams look brilliant on a big screen. Open the YouTube app on your smart TV, search for Barn Owl Live, and you can watch the owls from your sofa.
More of Buster's story
- 💕 How it started: Buster and Bella on one of their first dates
- ❄️ Buster hasn't eaten for days, but the snow won't beat him
- 🐦 Barn owl vs baby stock dove
- 🐭 Find out what barn owls eat
- 🦉 Watch Buster today on the live barn owl camera
Questions people ask
Can barn owls hunt in the rain?
Not well. Their soft feathers soak up water and the noise of the rain hides the sounds of their prey, so long wet spells make hunting very hard.
Who feeds the female barn owl while she sits on the eggs?
The male. He hunts and brings food back to the nest so she can stay on the eggs and keep them warm.
How long do barn owl eggs take to hatch?
About a month. The eggs are laid a few days apart, so the owlets hatch on different days.
How many eggs do barn owls lay?
Usually four to six. Bella laid five eggs in this nest.
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Thanks for watching,
Paul 🦉