Bird · GBIF taxon 2497240
Burrowing Owl
Athene cuniculariaAlso known as Ground Owl, Prairie Dog Owl
Burrowing owls are small, long-legged raptors that spend much of their time on the ground or perching on low mounds and fence posts. Uniquely active during the day, they stand guard near underground nests previously dug by prairie dogs, badgers, or ground squirrels. When alarmed, they bob up and down rapidly while uttering a sharp, chattering alarm call before retreating underground.
DiurnalGrasslandSubterranean Nesting
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Grasshoppers
- Mice
- Lizards
Predators
- Coyotes
- Hawks
- Domestic Cats
ThreatsHabitat destruction, pesticide use, and decline of burrowing mammals
HabitatsGrasslands, rangelands, deserts, and pastures
Life span6–9 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderStrigiformes
- FamilyStrigidae
- GenusAthene
- SpeciesAthene cunicularia
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Capable of biting or scratching if handled; maintain distance from active nests.
- What to notice
- Recognizable by their long bare legs, bright yellow eyes, and ground-dwelling behavior near burrow openings.
- Support conservation
- Maintain a distance of at least 50 meters from active burrows during the spring and summer breeding season.
Responsible observation
- Observe from afar: Use optics to view nest entrances without alarming the resident birds.
- Watch for bobbing: Look for their characteristic bobbing posture when they assess potential threats.
- Control pets: Keep dogs leashed in open grasslands to prevent burrow disturbance.
Burrow Host (c) Meghan Cassidy, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Meghan Cassidy · cc-by-sa
Frequent Companion "Ferruginous Hawk 001" by contemplicity is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
Close Relative Максат79 / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
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Moonlight Marvels
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