Burrowing Owl, Athene cunicularia
Burrowing Owl, Athene cunicularia, Female, Juvenile. Photograph taken within a residential community in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, October 2022. Photograph and identifications courtesy of Faith Hubsch, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Burrowing Owl, Athene cunicularia, Juveniles. Photograph taken within a residential community in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, September 2017. Photograph and identifications courtesy of Faith Hubsch, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Burrowing Owl, Athene cunicularia. Photograph taken within a residential community in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, October 2022. Photograph and identifications courtesy of Faith Hubsch, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Burrowing Owl, Athene cunicularia. Photograph taken in the greater Salton Sea area of Southern California, January 2013. Photograph and identification courtesy of Dr. Tom Bartol, Carlsbad, California.
Burrowing Owl, Athene cunicularia. Photographs taken on Marco Island, Florida, January 2019.
Burrowing Owl, Athene cunicularia. Photograph taken in the coastal area of Yavaros, Sonora, January 2020. Photograph and identification courtesy of David F Smith, Alamos, Sonora.
Background and Identification
The Burrowing Owl, Athene cunicularia, is a member of the Strigiadae Family of Owls. They are nighttime predators that consume insects, small mammals, and a limited number of small birds. Known for their differing behaviors when compared to other owls, they live in earth and sand burrows rather than trees. In Mexico, the Burrowing Owl is known as Tecolote Llanero.
They are mid-sized in stature, with the average length of adults ranging from 19-25 cm. They have a round head without ear tufts, bright yellow eyes, and white eyebrows that give them an expressive look. Their plumage is mottled brown and white, providing excellent camouflage in their open habitat. Juveniles are similar in appearance but have less distinct markings and a buff-colored chest.
Habitat and Geographical Range
hey are found in open, dry grasslands, agricultural and range lands, and desert habitats at elevations between 60 m (200 feet) to 2,700 m (9,000 feet). They utilize burrows for nests and daytime shelter, which is unique among owls. Often, they take over burrows created by prairie dogs, ground squirrels, or other burrowing animals. In areas without suitable burrows, they are capable of digging their own.
Geographically, Burrowing Owls are found across North and South America. In North America, their range extends from the western United States and Canada down to Central America. They are year-round residents in parts of the southwestern United States and Mexico, while populations in the northern parts of their range migrate south for the winter. In Mexico, they are found throughout the country except within the Yucatán Peninsula.
Common Misidentifications
Burrowing Owls can be confused with other small owl species, particularly the Short-eared Owl, Asio flammeus, and the Eastern Screech-Owl, Megascops asio. The Short-eared Owl, which also inhabits open fields and grasslands, can be distinguished by its ear tufts and more erratic flight pattern. The Eastern Screech-Owl, on the other hand, has ear tufts and is more likely to be found in wooded areas, making habitat a key distinguishing factor Another potential confusion is with the American Kestrel, Falco sparverius, a small falcon that shares similar open habitats. However, American Kestrels have a more slender body, pointed wings, and distinct facial markings, setting them apart from the round-headed Burrowing Owl. The American Kestrel has more colorful plumage and is usually smaller.
Conservation Status
From a conservation perspective, the Burrowing Owl is categorized as Least Concern with widely distributed populations. However, populations are currently decreasing due to habitat loss. Conservation concerns for the Burrowing Owl in the United States have led many individual states to create signs and zones of protection near nests. There have been three international Burrowing Owl symposia (in 1992, 1998, and 2006) to better understand this owl’s history and the actions that can be taken to better protect it.