By Alyssa Mechler
There are many owls one can see in Kansas. While it is sometimes hard to spot these nocturnal species, it can be helpful to learn about them as we go into fledgling season.
Owls typically mate in the late winter, and owlets hatch from late April to early October. A nestling is a young owl who is now capable of thermoregulation (regulating its body temperature), but not quite ready to fly. During nest dispersal or branching, a nestling will leave the nest and hide in the surrounding vegetation. Depending on the owl species, it can range from nearby branches or on the ground under shrubs or grasses. Once the nestling gains the ability to fly, they are called fledglings.