ORDER

Strigiformes (owls)

FAMILY

Strigidae (typical owls)

HABITAT AND RANGE

Burrowing owls range from the west coast of the US to Minnesota, Kansas and south to Louisiana and Florida. They can be found as far south as Central America. They prefer prairies, deserts and barren country in which to burrow.

IDENTIFICATION

Burrowing owls are small ground-dwelling owls with short tails, long legs. This body structure is adapted to a terrestrial lifestyle which is very uncommon for owls. They also lack “ear” tufts. Males and females weigh a little over 5 oz. making them one of the smallest owl species. Also unlike most owl species, the female is smaller than the male. Burrowing owls can be found in small colonies of other burrowing owls.

DIET

Burrowing owls take to the air to hunt and hover about 20 ft above the ground. They eat mostly insects and small rodents and lizards. They have learned to follow dogs and horses that may stir up prey for them as they pass. Burrowing owls are diurnal.

REPRODUCTION AND LIFESPAN

Burrowing owls will make their nest in abandoned burrows such as prairie dog burrows. They can enlarge the opening with their feet. Eggs are laid between March and July averaging 7-9 eggs per clutch. Incubation lasts about 28 days and lifespan is 10-15 years.

NOTES

The distress call of baby burrowing owls perfectly mimics the rattling of a prairie rattlesnake. Like all other birds of prey, burrowing owl eyes are so large in their heads that there is no muscle behind the eyeball to move the eye. As a result the owl has to turn its head (up to 270 degrees) in order to look around.