Burrowing Owl

Athene cunicularia

Order STRIGIFORMES - Family STRIGIDAE

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1. Cool Facts
2. Description
3. Similar Species
4. Sound
5. Range
6. Habitat
7. Food
8. Behavior
9. Reproduction
10. Conservation Status
11. Other Names

True to its name, the Burrowing Owl nests in a hole in the ground. Although it is quite willing to dig its own burrow, it often uses one already provided by prairie dogs, skunks, armadillos, or tortoises.

Cool Facts

• Unlike most owls in which the female is larger than the male, the sexes of the Burrowing Owl are the same size.
• The Burrowing Owl appears to be diurnal because it can often be seen foraging during the day. In fact, it hunts all day and night long and is most active in the morning and evening. It catches more insects during the day and more mammals at night.

• The Burrowing Owl sometimes is placed into its own genus (Speotyto). Genetic similarity and overall appearance unite it with the other members of Athene. These are the Little Owl of Eurasia and northern Africa, the Spotted Owlet of southeastern Asia, and the extremely rare Forest Owlet, known only from a handful of specimens and sightings in India. Although the Little Owl is found in deserts and open areas, it is not nearly as terrestrial as the Burrowing Owl. It usually nests in tree cavities, although it will use a hole in a building or wall, and sometimes nests in rabbit holes.

• The Burrowing Owl collects mammal dung and puts it in and around its burrow. The dung attracts dung beetles, which the owl then captures and eats.

Description

• Size: 19-25 cm (7-10 in)
• Wingspan: 55 cm (22 in)
• Weight: 150 g (5.3 ounces)

• Small owl.
• No ear tufts.
• Long legs.
• Short tail.
• Spots on back.
• Bars on front.
• Found on ground in open country.

• Eyes yellow.
• Bill yellow.
• White eyebrows.
• Wings and tail feathers barred brown and buffy white.
• Throat and under tail white.

Sex Differences

Sexes alike, but females generally darker.

Immature

Juvenile with unstreaked chest and few spots on back. Chest buff or dirty white, with dark collar

Similar Species

No other owl is commonly seen on the ground and during the day.
Short-eared Owl is twice the size, has a streaked, often orangish chest, has proportionately shorter legs and much longer wings and tail. The diagnostic short ear tufts often are not visible.

Sound

Song is a two-note coo coooo. Gives series of rattles clucks, and chatters.

»listen to songs of this species

Range

Summer Range

Breeds from southern Alberta eastward to southern Manitoba, southward into Mexico. Also resident in Florida and into the Caribbean and throughout South America.

Winter Range

Winters from the southwestern United States southward into Central America to El Salvador.

Habitat

Lives in dry, open areas with no trees and short grass. Found on golf courses, cemeteries, airports, vacant lots, university campuses, pastures, and prairie dog towns.

Food

Insects, scorpions, small mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles.

Behavior

Foraging

Catches food with feet. Hunts by walking, hopping, or running along the ground, or by flying from perch.

Reproduction

Nest Type

Nests in burrow, often dug by a mammal. Burrow can be several meters long, with numerous twists and turns. Often lined with horse or cow manure.

Egg Description

White.

Clutch Size

Usually 4-10 eggs. Range: 2-12.

Condition at Hatching

Helpless, eyes closed, covered in grayish white down.

Conservation Status

Populations declining in many areas; listed as endangered or threatened in some states and provinces. Collision with cars is a major source of mortality. Human activities have increased the species' range in Florida.

Other Names

Chevêche des terriers (French)
Lechuza llanera, Chicuate (Spanish)

Sources used to construct this page:

1. Haug, E. A., B. A. Millsap, and M. S. Martell. 1993. Burrowing Owl (Speotyto cunicularia). In The Birds of North America, No. 61 (A. Poole, and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, and The American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C.
2. Levy, D. J., R. S. Duncan, and C. F. Levins. 2004. Use of dung as a tool by burrowing owls. Nature 431: 39.