Wild Owl Mama Fosters Tiny Chicks After Losing Her Own Eggs
Going through loss is never easy, but sometimes, there's a way to find a silver lining and make the most of it. That's what happened to Robert E Fuller when he realized the wild owl he watches was once again having an unsuccessful breeding season.
Robert E Fuller regularly films the wildlife around his home in North Yorkshire in the U.K. and uploads the clips to his popular YouTube channel.
One of the animals he regularly shares about is a wild tawny owl named Luna.
Robert explained in his YouTube video that Luna and her mate, Bomber, established a nest in his garden last year. Sadly, their eggs failed to hatch.
"Tawny owls incubate their eggs for approximately 30 days and as Luna quietly broods the clutch Bomber drops in with regular food deliveries," Robert explained. "But a month later, in spite of Luna's constant brooding there are no signs of hatching and it becomes clear that yet again Luna's eggs have failed to hatch."
The situation was looking bleak for Luna, but then Robert received a call: two owl chicks had fallen from their nest at a nearby farm and they were in desperate need of help. They could be dead within a matter of hours without the proper warmth and food that a mother can provide.
That's when Robert had an idea. What if he took the two chicks and introduced them to Luna? After all, she was in full maternal mode as she was expecting her own chicks to hatch.
Thankfully, the introduction couldn't have gone better. Robert said, "I couldn't have hoped for a better outcome. Luna rushes in and envelopes the two chicks, brooding them instantly. It's almost as though she was expecting them."
Check out the video below to see the incredible moment for yourself:
Malorie works as a writer and editor in Northern California. She's passionate about food, conscious living, animal welfare, and conservation. She's worked with a variety of publications in different sectors but is happiest covering topics close to her heart. When not at her laptop, Malorie can be found enjoying picnics on the beach, hiking in the redwoods, and spending time with her rescue pup, Jax.