Athena the Owl Hatches Chick at Austin's Lady Bird Wildflower Center

Athena, the great horned owl at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, hatched her first owlet of 2026 on April 8. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center / Cornell Labs

Athena, the beloved great horned owl at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, is a mom again — just over a month after returning to her nest.

According to the center, Athena’s egg began hatching around 3 a.m. Wednesday.

The process of hatching begins with “pipping,” when the chick begins to break through its shell.

The owlet fully emerged at 4:44 a.m., 34 days after the egg was laid on March 5.

According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology — which partners with the Wildflower Center to livestream Athena’s nest — newly hatched owlets are covered in white down and are largely helpless. It takes about three days for them to begin lifting their heads, and their eyes remain closed for the first nine to 11 days.

Athena will keep the chick warm and fed during its first weeks of life.

A second egg, laid March 9, is expected to hatch within the next 48 to 72 hours, officials said.

The Wildflower Center’s great horned owls

Athena and a male great horned owl have nested at the Wildflower Center for more than a decade. She nests near the courtyard entrance and can often be spotted by visitors, depending on conditions.

This marks the third consecutive year the pair has successfully hatched owlets at the center.

Live stream Athena's nest

You can watch Athena's nest anytime here: