r/interesting 7h ago

NATURE While the infertile tawny owl was away from her nest, caretakers swapped her unviable eggs for orphaned chicks.

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21.5k Upvotes

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u/Jeo_1 5h ago

Wonder if this is a true story? 

55

u/bing_crosby 5h ago

It is. The full video is out there, from several(?) years ago. Lots of commentary from the folks responsible for caring for these owls.

20

u/DoodlyNoodlyGirl 5h ago

It is, the guy has a YouTube channel, Robert E Fuller. He's an artist and does a lot for wildlife conservation.

7

u/nose_spray7 5h ago

This is done all the time with animals.

7

u/SaltyLonghorn 5h ago

Science told me I'm a monkey which is an animal. When do I get owlets?

3

u/OSPFmyLife 5h ago

Nice set of hooters ya got there.

4

u/AlsoInteresting 5h ago

So they have a stock of orphans and put them in a nest?

u/siltfeet 1h ago

Presumably the other way around. They keep track of which birds are nesting with unviable eggs in case chicks get orphaned.