Burrowing Owl

The Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) is a unique, charismatic small owl distinguished by its exceptionally long legs, terrestrial habits, and tendency to reside underground. Unlike most owls, they are highly active during the day, though they do most of their hunting from dusk to dawn. They are famous for their expressive yellow eyes, white eyebrows, and their habit of bobbing up and down when disturbed or curious.

Burrowing Owls are easily identified by their small size, sandy-brown mottled plumage, and very long, sparsely feathered legs. They lack ear tufts and have a distinct facial disk with a white chin stripe and bold white eyebrows framing bright yellow eyes. Their chest and belly are white or buff with dark brown horizontal barring, while juveniles are buffier with less distinct markings. When distinguishing from other species, remember that the Short-eared Owl is much larger, has a different flight pattern, and lacks the long-legged terrestrial stance, while the European Little Owl (Athene noctua) lacks the exceptionally long legs and does not habitually nest underground.

These owls require flat, open, dry areas with short vegetation. Primary habitats include dry grasslands, prairies, savannas, deserts, agricultural fields, and even disturbed urban areas like golf courses, vacant lots, and airports. Their geographic range spans across western North America, extending south through Central America, and throughout vast regions of South America. There is also a distinct, non-migratory population in Florida and the Caribbean. Northern populations in Canada and the northern United States are migratory, traveling south to winter in the southern U.S. and Mexico.

Burrowing Owls rarely dig their own homes, instead relying on abandoned burrows of prairie dogs, ground squirrels, badgers, or tortoises. They frequently decorate their burrow entrances with mammal dung, feathers, and food remains. Highly opportunistic, they hunt by walking or running on the ground, hovering to spot prey, or flycatching from low perches. Their primary call is a dry, two-syllable 'coo-cooo' made by males, while chicks produce a remarkable hiss resembling a rattlesnake to deter underground predators. When approached, their classic alarm behavior is rapid nose-to-toes body bobbing.