Baby Barred Owls Gaining Feathers and Eyelid Comedy

Baby owls can be very entertaining, in this case playing eyelid games without thinking about it.. They are cute in their baby fuzz while feathers come in.  Yet, make no mistake about it:  These are owls and even if young will show defensive measures and "ask" me to leave them alone. They do not want me in their enclosure and will make barking sounds by clicking their beaks, telling me to back off.   The smaller one on the right blinked and the photo shows the third eyelid, named the nictitating membrane.  This type of third eyelid is found in many animals and serves a general purpose of protection for the eye.  The owl is fine and healthy.  The photo just happened to catch the eyes with both nictitating eyelids closed.  In an instant, the eyelids retracted and the eyes were again the large deep orbs we are used to seeing in Barred Owls.

 

These two Barred Owls lost their nest and are being raised to be released into the wild. When ready, they will go to a larger enclosure to fly and strengthen their wing muscles. While there they will "hunt" and grab their dinners.  Without parents to teach these babies, training is not easy and during all of it the owls must keep their fear of people, avoiding us and not seeing people as substitute parents.

Check out this link to learn about the extra eyelid.
Nictitating Eyelid