Great Horned Owlets typically stay in the nest for about 6 to 7 weeks after hatching. However, they don’t fully leave right away. Around 5 weeks old, they begin “branching,” which means they climb out of the nest onto nearby branches while still relying on their parents for food. They start attempting short flights at about 9 to 10 weeks old but may stay close to their parents for several more weeks, learning to hunt before becoming fully independent. | Jeremy Johnson Photography