First ever polar owl chick born in Grodno Zoo
White owls Nason and Buklya, who live in Grodno Zoo, have produced offspring for the first time.
Male Nason arrived in Grodno from Moscow in 2018, while female Buklya was brought from Minsk in 2022.
In spring, Buklya laid three eggs, but due to lack of incubation experience, only one chick hatched in July.
A little over a month later, the owlet left the nest. It has now grown, started to fly, and is learning to eat independently, although dad Nason still continues to care for and feed it.
Parents Nason and Buklya
The polar (or white) owl is the largest bird of the tundra, with a wingspan of up to 1.75 meters. Unlike most other owls, it hunts during the day, and thanks to its special plumage, it flies silently. Males often have pearly-white plumage, while females have dark spots. Their diet mainly consists of lemmings, of which one owl eats more than 1500 per year.