Barn owl babies having breakfast

Our owlets are always ready for their breakfast, even though we leave food out for them overnight they are hungry again when we open up.  Hansel (on the left) is more determined and stronger than Gretel.   Both of them are vocal and we get a range of hisses and clicks when they see us.  Clicks are for attention, the hisses sound as though they are cross but that may not be the case.  They move their heads from side to side when they are interested in something and, unless they are asleep, they watch us all the time.

We tried giving them a pinkie (small mouse) yesterday – they were suspicious at first but then decided, yes, it was food – and down it went.  Owls, even babies, have a very big mouth behind that sharp beak!