Veterinarians at Washington State University are raising nine tiny great horned owls whose nests have been destroyed.

Baby horned owls are rarely seen by the public because adult owls aggressively protect the young, making it difficult to get near a nest.

The babies, five from one nest and four from another, are being hand-fed until they are strong enough to eat on their own. The first four were brought to WSU on April 13 at roughly one week old. Just four days later, the second group arrived at only a few days old.

The palm-sized birds are living at WSU's Veterinary Teaching Hospital, where they are being fed cut-up mice soaked in water.