The Owl Box

Owl couple in California hatches a family and a fan club as thousands tune in to watch chicks

Associated Press
Last update: March 29, 2010 - 3:44 PM
SAN MARCOS, Calif. -

A barn owl couple in California has given birth to a family and a fan club.

Two years ago, Carlos and Donna Royal made an owl box, put it on top of a 15-foot pole in their northern San Diego County back yard and hooked up a video camera.

Barn owls Molly and McGee moved into the box in January and started a family.

Since ustream.tv/theowlbox debuted, it's had more than 3 million hits. More than 17,000 people watched as the first owlet hatched on March 21. A fourth baby owl hatched Sunday, with one egg remaining.

The Royals have named the babies Max, Pattison, Austin and Wesley.