Species · GBIF taxon 2497240
Burrowing Owl
Athene cuniculariaAlso known as Ground Owl, Howdy Owl, Prairie Owl, Cuckoo Owl
Burrowing Owls spend most of their time on the ground, standing on fence posts or low dirt mounds near their underground nests. Unlike most owls, they are highly active during the day, bobbing their heads up and down when agitated or scanning for insects and small rodents. They live in loose colonies, communicating with soft coos and chattering alarm calls while relying on the abandoned burrows of prairie dogs and badgers for shelter.
DiurnalTerrestrialSubterranean
- diet
- Carnivorous (insects, small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians)
- family
- Strigidae
- threats
- Habitat loss, pesticide use, vehicle collisions, and loss of burrowing mammals
- life Span
- 6 to 8 years in the wild
LC
Safe to observe from a respectful distance.
Populations are declining rapidly in many regions due to habitat destruction and the eradication of burrowing rodents.
Never approach nesting burrows, block tunnel entrances, or use playback calls, which disrupt their hunting and parenting.- Keep Distance: Stay at least 50 meters away from active burrows to avoid causing stress or abandonment.
- Watch for Bobbing: If an owl begins bobbing its head or stretching its neck, it feels threatened; back away immediately.
- Use Binoculars: Observe their fascinating social behaviors and hunting leaps using a spotting scope or telephoto lens.