The Postnatal Development of Two Broods of Great Horned Owls (Bubo virginianus)

"The Postnatal Development of Two Broods of Great Horned Owls (Bubo virginianus)" by Donald F. Hoffmeister is a scientific study that examines the lives of young Great Horned Owls, based on observations at the University of Kansas. The book looks at the growth, eating habits, and nest environments of these birds using information gathered in 1945 and 1946. The detailed account includes the time it took for the eggs to hatch, how quickly the owlets gained weight, and how they reacted to their surroundings. The book notes that the young owls gained a lot of weight in the beginning but this rate changed depending on how much food the parent owls brought back to the nest. The study also emphasizes what the owls ate, showing what items they brought to the nest, and finishes by explaining how, after about 45 days, the owls were ready to leave the nest and take care of themselves.