General

Burrowing Owl: Small ground-dwelling owl, mostly brown with numerous white spots and no ear tufts. Legs are long. Sexes are similar. Juvenile has pale underparts and buff breast.

Range and Habitat

Burrowing Owl: Occurs in southwestern Canada, the western U.S., Florida, and northern Alaska. Preferred habitats include open, dry grasslands and deserts.

Breeding and Nesting

Burrowing Owl: Lays seven to ten white, nest stained eggs in nest lined with excrement, pellets, grass, feathers, and other debris, built in a burrow, pipe, culvert, or nest box; burrows are either dug by the owls or have been abandoned by ground squirrels, prairie dogs, badgers, or other small mammals. Female incubates for 21 to 30 days.

Foraging and Feeding

Burrowing Owl: Eats mostly large arthropods, but also feeds on mice, small rabbits, rats, gophers, ground squirrels, bats, reptiles, amphibians, and birds. Often watches from perch and then glides silently toward target; most active at dusk and dawn, but will hunt anytime throughout a 24-hour period.

Vocalization

Burrowing Owl: Call is a two-syllable "who-who." When disturbed in the nest, young sound an alarm that imitates a rattlesnake.

Similar Species

Burrowing Owl: Short-eared owl is larger, has black bill, and moth-like flight.