Hawks Aloft, Inc.
Conservation, Avian Research, and Education
PO Box 10028 - Albuquerque, NM 87184 - (505) 828-9455

 

Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) 

 Field Marks:

-  length: 9 in. wingspan: 21 in.

-  small-bodied, with long legs

-  sparsely-feathered legs below the ankle

-  small, round head without ear tufts

-  buffy-brown, light tan, and white body

-  white “eyebrow” over yellow eyes

Breeding Range:

Burrowing Owls breed in the western United States.  The northern and southern  boundaries of their breeding range are southern Canada and mid-Central America.   

Wintering Range:

Burrowing Owls in the northern two-thirds of the range move south to the southern half of their breeding range.   

Habitat Preferences:

These owls prefer dry, open, short-grass plains that have a current population of burrowing animals, such as prairie dogs, rock squirrels and pocket gophers.  Burrowing Owls are dependent on these burrowing animals to excavate tunnels and maintain short vegetation.  Burrowing Owls often live in close proximity to humans.   

Nesting:

Burrows are usually located near bare ground or very short grass.  Recently-abandoned burrows are renovated and maintained by the breeding pair.  Burrows that have been empty for long periods are often ignored.  Egg laying usually begins in the third week of March, hatching occurs 28-30 days later.  The clutch size ranges from 6-11 eggs, and young emerge from the burrow 14 days later.  They remain dependent on the parents for the rest of the season.  Young utilize burrows near their parents and switch burrows frequently.   

Feeding:

Burrowing Owls are opportunistic feeders.  They prey primarily on insects, birds, and small mammals including prairie dogs and pocket gophers.  They hunt from low perches and on the ground by hopping, walking, and running in search of prey.  They also hover over fields searching for prey.    

Conservation Status:

Burrowing Owl populations are strictly tied to burrowing mammal populations, and therefore, suffer from persecution of burrowing mammals.  They are state listed as Endangered in two states in the Midwest, and they are a species of special concern in twelve other states.  They are listed as Threatened in southern Canada.  Introduction of artificial burrows is a successful conservation management strategy in many states with decreasing habitat.