Visitors to two Alabama parks have been treated to an unexpected, and adorable, sight in recent weeks — baby barred owls — thanks to nesting boxes built by an Alabama teenager.

Max Lewis, a junior at Homewood High School, built and installed the owl nesting boxes at Homewood’s Overton Park, Central Park and Woodland Park when he was 16 as part of his Eagle Scout service project for Boy Scouts of America Troop 79 out of All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Homewood.

Lewis, now 17, said he was inspired to build the nesting boxes for barred owls after growing up hearing the birds at the house he grew up in near Woodland Park. The birds have a unique call that many say sounds like “Who cooks for you, who cooks for you all.”

While the Lewis family has since moved, they said they still often hear the owls in their new homebegin, which is only about a quarter mile from Overton Park, and hoped the boxes would bring and keep more owls nearby.

Since barred owls typically begin their nesting season in March, Lewis spent two months on the project and the boxes were ultimately installed in February 2024.

“I had to do a lot of research because it’s a specific kind of owl, barred owls,” Lewis said. “So I had to find out what they need, how big they are and just how to accommodate them. Then, I had to figure out what types of wood to use and where to put them, and I had to figure out the costs of everything and build them. My grandfather, who is a carpenter, had to saw the wood, since Boy Scouts aren’t allowed to use power tools, and then I had to assemble it with screws. From there, I had to talk with the [Homewood Park Board] about installing them, so that was kind of a process.”

About two weeks ago, Lewis said the owlets were spotted at the nesting boxes in Woodland Park and Overton Park, making it the first time he’s seen the boxes in use. Since then, the chicks have become a talking point for the community and those who live nearby.

“I’m pretty excited to see it,” said Lewis. “It felt cool that it was finally inhabited, and it’s been really cool just to get to see other people react to them and talk about them.”

While the owlets are now brave enough to explore the branches and trees surrounding the nesting boxes, barred owl babies typically stay near their parents — who are still providing food for them — for up to six months, according to All About Birds. Plus, barred owls have been known to return to the same nest each year, meaning owlets may become a common sight for the parks’ visitors in the spring.

Despite the year-long wait, Lewis said he’s happy to see the nesting boxes fulfill their intended purpose and said he learned a valuable lesson in the process.

“Patience is key,” said Lewis. “You shouldn’t expect immediate results.”