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 on a fence post or on the ground in open habitats (grasslands, rangelands, and prairie dog colonies). Burrowing owls are diurnal, hunting both day and night. Burrowing owls do not dig their own burrows in Colorado, instead occupying burrows dug by small mammals, especially prairie dogs.
Research and Monitoring
We are studying the features of prairie dog colonies that influence the presence and breeding success of burrowing owls. This includes plague, which can lead to loss of prairie dog colonies and owl nest sites.
The burrowing owl is the only owl in North America that nests underground (in prairie dog burrows in Colorado). And because they are active during the day, they are one of our most viewable owl species. Avian Researchers at CPW are learning how our management programs can be used to benefit owls and other species that depend on prairie dogs. This timelapse video tells the stories of two owl families.
More Information:
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 subspecies of burrowing owls in the USA: Western and Florida burrowing owls. The Western subspecies 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. Burrowing owls arrive in Colorado during March - May each year and depart again during August - October.
Habitat
The burrowing owl usually lives in dry, open areas with short grasses and no trees. They nest in underground burrows created by prairie dogs, ground squirrels and badgers. Burrowing owls can be found where suitable burrows exist on pastures, golf courses, cemeteries, and airports, but they are far more common on active prairie dog colonies. Owlets first emerge from the nest burrow at 10 - 14 days, before they can fly. The young fledge in 6 weeks but generally remain in the vicinity of the nest until late summer or fall.
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.