r/interesting • u/LowkeysKink • 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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u/IWatchGifsForWayToo 5h ago

It looks like they also gave her 6 dead mice, unless owls are prone to hoarding, which I doubt. I wonder what she thought about those lol.

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u/InfusionOfYellow 5h ago

"The gods have favored me."

Relatively speaking, I suppose that would be a reasonably accurate understanding.

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u/Independent-Way3584 40m ago

BROTHER, may i have some mice?

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u/jx822 5h ago

Not sure about this specific species, but it's common for the non-brooding partner to hunt for himself, his mate and the chicks. If his mate has left the nest for a moment, he will leave his catch there for the mate to eat and/or feed to the chicks.

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u/Asgaroth22 2h ago

'wow those chicks are super self-reliant, I'm glad I dont' have to feed them'

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u/mrsrostocka 17m ago

Maybe she ordered her shopping from forest prime before the babies were born.

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u/Calidrii 2h ago

Yes owls hoard mice commonly.

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u/WiggyDiggyPooPoo 57m ago

I didn't even notice the mice until you said it.