Athena the Owl named Austin's official owl ambassador
AUSTIN (KXAN) — She is beauty, she is grace. She is Austin’s official owl ambassador!
After years of being a nocturnal aviary legend in the city, Austin honored Athena, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center’s resident Great Horned Owl, with the proclamation at a ceremony Friday morning.
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(KXAN photo/Ed Zavala) -
April 9, 2025 – The first of the two eggs laid 33 days ago by Athena, the great horned owl at Austin’s Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, is beginning to hatch | Credit: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center owl cam -
For 13 years, a great horned owl named Athena has been a staple sight at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. (Courtesy: Bill J. Boyd) -
For 13 years, a great horned owl named Athena has been a staple sight at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. (Courtesy: Bill J. Boyd) -
For 13 years, a great horned owl named Athena has been a staple sight at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. (Courtesy: Bill J. Boyd)
The proclamation came just days after both of Athena’s eggs hatched. The first owlet broke out of its shell Wednesday — the second on Friday morning.
For years, Athena has made her nest at the southwest Austin center. This was her 13th season, according to the city.
The owlets are expected to stay in the nest for the next four months while they learn important skills before leaving completely.
Watch Athena and her owlets through the LBJ Wildflower Center and Cornell Labs owl cam.
