Overview
- A chick once believed dead at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center was found alive and moved to rehabilitation, where staff say it looks stronger and hungrier.
- The live camera was shut off after organizers said Athena stopped tending the nest and reported both owlets had died.
- Continued off-camera monitoring spotted movement in the nest, and the center worked with Austin Wildlife Rescue to retrieve the chick for care.
- Officials say the cause of the nesting setback remains unclear, with reduced food deliveries flagged as a possible factor.
- Cornell reports the male owl has not appeared on camera since April 5, which can slow prey deliveries because males do most early hunting for very young chicks.