Birds in Nature - images of wild birds by Richard Ditch

Species Profile: Burrowing Owl

Species Name: Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia)

Description: Length: 9.5 inches; a small owl. Long legs, rounded head with no "ears,' and upright posture make this an easy bird to identify. Plumage is mottled brown over most of the owl's body, with white eyebrows and "mustache" on distinctive face. Prominent yellow eyes are set looking forward in broad facial disk. Beak is horn yellow in color, with bristles and feathers that often hide it's size and shape. Tail short, giving sitting birds a unique shape. Adult birds have extensive brown and white barring on breast, belly, and flanks. Juvenile birds have plain tannish white breast and belly.

Range: A bird primarily of the western plains of North America, with a disjoint population in southern Florida. Breeds in much of the Great Plains states and the southern parts of the prairie provinces of Canada. Remains year round in southern California, southern Arizona and New Mexico, most of Texas, and southern Florida, and throughout much of Mexico.

Although still plentiful in many locations, continued urban expansion destroys habitat and threatens these birds. Their range has been reduced and continues to shrink.

Breeding Bird Survey Range Map
Christmas Bird Count Distribution Map

Behavior: Found in open country, often associated with colonies of prairie dogs or other ground mammals. Often sits on small mound of earth at burrow entrance in daylight. Becomes more active late in the day and feeds mostly at night. Often bobs head when agitated. Reported to make sound similar to rattle snake while in burrow to discourage predators.

Related or Similar Species: Obviously an owl, but not closely related to any North American species. Closest relative appears to be the Little Owl (Athene noctua) of Europe, which resembles in quite closely and is also found in open country.

Identification: Unique habitat and lifestyle makes this an easy identification.

Advice on Finding and Photographing: For most photographers, the easiest way to add this species to their files is to fly to southern Florida and visit the community of Cape Coral near Fort Meyers and Sanibel Island. As with other species in Florida, the birds here are easy to approach and very used to hordes of photographers. Other Florida sites include (or used to) the Homestead airport, and Opa Locka airport near Miami. Another popular place is around the south end of the Salton Sea in southern California, about 2 hours drive east of San Diego. In other states within the owl's range, spend lots of time driving slowly through open country, along dirt roads in agricultural areas, and watch the road edges. These owls often make burrows in the soft dirt edges of unimproved roads, or along the back sides of concrete irrigation channels. The birds can be found at any time of the day, but may be easiest to spot in late afternoon. Check out any brown "lump" on roadside posts in such areas. In more developed areas, these owls can sometimes be found at airports and gold courses, and sometimes become de-sensitized to close human approach.

As with all wild animals, pay attention to your the owls react to human presence. An obviously agitated bird is a sure sign that you are too close and need to withdraw.

Related Material: Anyone interested in Burrowing Owls should find some interesting information at these web sites:

• Operation Burrowing Owl is based in Saskatchewan, Canada, and is dedicated to working with land owners in an effort to preserve nesting habitat for this species.
• Artificial Nesting Burrows are covered at a location in the Phoenix metro area, an attempt to provide relocation for Burrowing Owls displaced as suburban Phoenix spreads into even more traditional owl habitat.
• Radio Tracking of Burrowing Owls is discussed, with some findings to date and ways that anyone can get involved in the project.

 

Images

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Burrowing Owl Trio