Written by Peter Pearsall/Photo by Dan Streiffert
The burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) is a small, long-legged owl with big personality and a lifestyle unlike any other North American owl. Instead of perching in trees, these charismatic raptors make their homes underground, inhabiting burrows in open landscapes from Canada to South America.
Burrowing owls have bright yellow eyes, white “eyebrows,” and slender bodies perched atop long, stilt-like legs. They lack the ear tufts common in many owl species, giving them a round-headed appearance. Also unlike many owl species, they’re often seen during the day, standing near burrow entrances or hunting from low perches
True to their name, burrowing owls nest and roost in burrows, often those dug by badgers, tortoises, ground squirrels, or other burrowing mammals. Where such mammals are absent, they may use artificial structures like culverts or even dig their own shallow burrows.
Their range extends across western North America, Florida’s prairies, Mexico, and into Central and South America. They prefer open habitats such as grasslands, deserts, agricultural areas, and airports—places with low vegetation for unobstructed views and hunting.
Burrowing owls are active both day and night, especially at dawn and dusk. They feed on a wide range of prey, including insects, small mammals, small birds, amphibians, and reptiles.
They often hunt by running, pouncing, or swooping low over the ground, using keen eyesight and quick reflexes to capture prey.
Breeding pairs use underground burrows to raise their young, lining the nest chamber with grasses, feathers, and sometimes even animal dung—thought to mask the scent of chicks from predators and attract insects for food. While sheltering in a burrow, young burrowing owls will imitate rattlesnake sounds to deter intruders.
While still widespread, burrowing owl populations have declined in many areas due to:
- Habitat loss from agriculture and development
- Declines in burrowing mammals
- Pesticide use reducing insect prey
Conservation efforts focus on habitat preservation, artificial burrow programs, and safeguarding populations of burrowing animals to maintain healthy ecosystems for these birds.
