Burrowing Owl
Burrowing owls live underground and can be seen during the day perched on fences in open habitats.
About This Species
A small, long-legged, short-tailed but long-winged owl. It has a distinctive "flattened" head shape and facial pattern with brown cap, white eyebrows, large yellow eyes, and a white throat. This owl does not have ear tuffs. A bobbing, or deep knee bend, often seen in disturbed birds, is distinctive to this owl species. It is most likely the only owl you will see during the day perched a fence post or on the ground in open habitats (grasslands, desert and agricultural areas). Burrowing owls are diurnal, hunting both day and night. Although burrowing owls can dig their own burrows, they usually occupy burrows that have been dug by other small mammals such as prairie dogs, ground squirrels, foxes, and even badgers.
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Physical Characteristics
The adult's body is mottled brown and white overall with a spotted (or barred) dark brown and buffy breast. The young (juveniles) lack the spotted chest and have few spots on their backs and they have a dark neck collar. Both the adult male and female are the same size.
Range
There are two main populations of the burrowing owl; the Western and Florida. The Western populations can be found throughout the Western United States during the summer months. The Western population can be found summering throughout much of Colorado in suitable habitats, though they are more common on the eastern short-grass prairies.
Habitat
The burrowing owl usually lives in dry, open areas with short grasses and no trees. They nest and live in underground burrows created by prairie dogs, ground squirrels and badgers. Burrowing owls can be found where suitable burrows exist on golf courses, cemeteries, airports, vacant lots, university campuses, and pastures.
Diet
Burrowing owls eat a variety of prey including insects, small mammals, birds, reptiles, scorpions, and amphibians. Burrowing owls are known to collect mammal dung for use around its nest to attract dung beetles, which the owls eat (www.allaboutbirds.org). These small owls hunt by flying from a short perch or by walking, running, or hopping along the ground. The burrowing owl catches it prey with its feet.
Reproduction
Burrowing owls nest in burrows and the female lays 6-12 eggs that are incubated for 28-30 days. The young fledge in 6 weeks but stay in the parent's territory to forage.