Tuesday 19 October

Well! What an eventful night last night! I didn't get much sleep because I was still quite 'wired up' about Teeny and its re-introduction to the family.

A summary for those that missed all the action:
Teeny was brought back home yesterday and put straight into the nest. I'm quite relieved that I didn't get hit on the head by steely talons while I did my Good Samaritan bit. The other chicks responded to Teeny immediately. At one stage, it looked like they were squashing Teeny (Teeny is half their size), but I think it was just over-excitement, not intending to hurt Teeny.

Pot Plant Owl sat on the lip of the container and for the most part, ignored Teeny. This wasn't too serious - the big test of the parents accepting Teeny back would come in later - at feeding time.

At nightfall, the chicks became restless, and the parents went off to hunt. We watched, and waited. Eventually the parents brought food to the nest. There was a flurry of activity and wings flapping to get the food. Teeny's small stature played against him / her, and Teeny was shoved to the side each time.

By this stage, everyone watching was anxious. If Teeny did not get food, we would then have to return it to the Wildlife Rehab Centre for feeding and eventual release into the wild. This was not our first choice.

Eventually, Teeny fought back - and won! After getting the first bit of food, Teeny's confidence (and hunger) fuelled it to jump further and reach higher, and it got more and more food. Pretty soon, it was showing the signs of being well fed.

This morning I expected to wake up to the begging cry of the chicks for a last-minute snack before their bedtime. And there they were - fast asleep, lying flat in the pot plant container. Teeny was lying on its back and looked very content.

Pappa is sitting on our perimeter wall this morning. Why the change of roosting spot? Who knows! Pot Plant Owl is on the garage roof nearby, where she can see the nest.

We need another good feeding session tonight to ensure that Teeny starts catching up to the others in size.

Don't forget the naming competition for the chicks. Details can be found on Africam's Face Book page, and I think of the Africam website as well(?) -need to check on that.

PM Central African Time - Teeny got the first bit of food! The early feeding tonight was much less stressful than last night's and Teeny did get some good food. The other 2 chicks are really wanting their own identities now, so please get your name votes in so we can give them proper names. They are just as precious as Teeny and deserve as much.