Owls are known to love the nightlife and are rumored to be wise. But did you know these feathered beauties are also dedicated parents? And one owl who saw two owlets alone and in need of a mother stepped right in after her own egg clutch failed to hatch.
Luna is a tawny owl who makes her home in a beech stump modified to be a palace for her and her mate Bomber. Their majestic nest can be found at wildlife rehabilitator Robert E. Fuller’s home in North Yorkshire in the UK. And though Fuller has built the owl her dream home, Luna hasn’t had any successful hatchings in the past couple of years, leaving her dream of hatching little ones unfulfilled.
But when Fuller put two orphaned owl chicks in her nest, Luna’s mothering instincts came to life, and she took the babies under her wing without hesitation.
Adopting Owlets
Knowing that Luna was still in mom mode after her latest clutch of eggs failed to hatch, Fuller knew she “could be the perfect foster mother.”
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So when Luna was out for a bit, he slipped the tawny owl chicks inside and waited for her return. Via a camera in the nest, Fuller could watch Luna’s reaction upon seeing the babies in need. And it was an amazing moment.
“Look at that; she’s brooding them straight away,” said Fuller. “This is absolutely incredible.”
“It’s amazing to see how she’s taking them on as her own. I couldn’t have hoped for a better outcome.”
In an update on Facebook, Fuller revealed the owlets were “thriving” under their foster mom’s care. Luna has proved to be the most doting of mothers and “so tender with her foster chicks.”
Two Grows Into Full Nest
Luna’s adopted little ones soon grew up, but before they left the nest for good, they gained foster siblings! Because Luna and Bomber proved to be the best foster owls, Fuller placed four more rescued owlets in their care.
And now that Luna has raised her foster chicks and they’ve all flown the coop, this superb mama owl is preparing for another breeding season. Follow Luna’s life and Robert E. Fuller’s rehabilitation and conservation work on Facebook and YouTube.
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Feature Image: Robert E Fuller/Facebook
Toledo, United States.
