Burrowing Owl

Physical Characteristics

The Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) is a small, long-legged species of owl adapted for life on the ground and in open landscapes—unlike most owls that prefer trees and dense forests.

Plumage:
Burrowing Owls have light brown to sandy-colored feathers with white spots across the back, wings, and crown. Their underparts are pale with brown barring, which helps them blend into grasslands and open terrain. Juveniles tend to have fewer spots and more solid coloration across the chest.

Face:
They have a rounded, flat face with a prominent white “eyebrow” line above each eye, giving them an alert and expressive appearance. Their eyes are large, bright yellow, and forward-facing, allowing for excellent binocular vision.

Body:
These owls have a slender, upright posture, often seen standing tall near their burrows during daylight hours. Unlike many other owl species, they are frequently active during the day (diurnal), although they also hunt at dawn and dusk (crepuscular).

Legs:
One of their most distinguishing features is their unusually long, featherless legs, which aid in running across the ground and maneuvering inside burrows. The legs are pale and scaled, giving them a stilted look when standing or walking.

Wings and Tail:
Burrowing Owls have relatively long, narrow wings and a short, squared tail. Their wings are well-suited for quick, low-level flights over open terrain.

Beak and Feet:
They possess a short, hooked beak suitable for gripping and tearing prey. Their toes are armed with sharp talons for grasping, though they are less robust than those of forest-dwelling raptors.

Size:

• Length: Typically ranges from 7.5 to 10 inches (19 to 25 centimeters)

• Wingspan: About 20 to 24 inches (51 to 61 centimeters)

• Weight: Generally between 4.9 and 8.5 ounces (140 to 240 grams), with females slightly larger than males

Burrowing Owls’ compact size, long legs, and open-country adaptations make them uniquely suited to life on the ground. Their posture, coloring, and alert demeanor reflect their need for both vigilance and mobility in exposed environments like prairies, deserts, and grasslands.

Reproduction

The reproductive cycle of Burrowing Owls is closely tied to their ground-dwelling lifestyle and nesting habits in open environments. It involves seasonal breeding, cooperative nesting behaviors, and a strong reliance on burrow systems.

1. Mating and Courtship:
Burrowing Owls are generally monogamous during the breeding season, and pairs may reunite for multiple years if they survive. Courtship begins in early spring, involving vocalizations, aerial displays, and food offerings by the male. Males also perform “hovering” flights and call persistently near the burrow to attract and impress a mate.

2. Nesting:
True to their name, these owls nest underground in burrows, often reusing those dug by mammals like prairie dogs, ground squirrels, or badgers. In the absence of pre-existing burrows, they may dig their own using their feet and beak. Nests are often lined with dried grass, feathers, and sometimes animal dung, which may help regulate humidity or attract insects as a food source.

3. Egg Laying and Incubation:
The female lays 6 to 12 white eggs, typically one every 1 to 2 days. She incubates the eggs alone for about 28 to 30 days, while the male remains outside, guarding the burrow and bringing food to her.

4. Hatching and Nestling Period:
Chicks hatch asynchronously, meaning the first-hatched are often larger than the younger siblings. They are altricial, hatching blind and helpless. The female broods them continuously in the first days, while the male continues food delivery.

5. Development and Fledging:
Nestlings begin to emerge from the burrow at around 2 weeks of age and may start short exploratory walks above ground. Full fledging occurs at 4 to 6 weeks, at which point the young begin to develop flight feathers and practice short flights.

6. Post-Fledging Care:
Even after fledging, the parents continue feeding and protecting their young for several weeks. Juveniles remain near the nesting site while they hone their flying and hunting skills. Family groups can be seen perched near burrows well into late summer.

Burrowing Owls’ reproductive strategy is built around high clutch sizes, secure nesting sites, and parental teamwork, which increases the chances of survival in open habitats that expose them to predators. Their dependence on healthy burrowing mammal populations and open landscapes makes habitat conservation vital for their breeding success.

Lifespan

The Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) is a small ground-nesting owl found in grasslands, deserts, and open habitats throughout the Americas. Its lifespan is shaped by its exposure to predators, habitat changes, and human activity.

Lifespan in the Wild:
In their natural environment, Burrowing Owls typically live 6 to 8 years, though many do not survive their first year due to predation, environmental hazards, or loss of nesting sites. Natural mortality is high for juveniles, but adult owls that establish a secure territory can live several breeding seasons.

Lifespan in Captivity:
In protected environments such as zoos or wildlife rehabilitation centers, Burrowing Owls can live up to 10 to 12 years or more. The absence of predators, consistent food supply, and access to medical care contribute to their extended lifespan in captivity.

Threats to the Burrowing Owl:

• Habitat Loss and Degradation: Agricultural expansion, urban development, and destruction of grassland ecosystems have significantly reduced nesting and foraging habitats.

• Burrow Collapse: As they rely heavily on burrows dug by mammals, the removal or control of burrowing animals can result in fewer available nesting sites.

• Predation: Burrowing Owls face threats from coyotes, foxes, badgers, snakes, domestic cats and dogs, and birds of prey—especially when young or nesting close to the surface.

• Vehicle Collisions: These owls often nest near roads or airports, making them vulnerable to being hit by cars or other machinery.

• Pesticides and Rodenticides: Chemicals used in pest control can poison owls either directly or indirectly through contaminated prey.

• Climate Variability: Drought and changing rainfall patterns can affect prey availability and the structural stability of burrows.

Conservation strategies such as protecting native grasslands, promoting coexistence with burrowing mammals, installing artificial burrows, and reducing pesticide use are essential for extending the life expectancy of wild Burrowing Owls. Despite their hardiness, these owls rely on healthy, open landscapes to thrive across their range.

Hunting & Eating

Burrowing Owls are opportunistic predators that hunt from the ground and air. Unlike many owl species, they are often active during the daylight hours (diurnal) as well as at dawn and dusk (crepuscular), giving them more flexibility in when and how they hunt.

Diet:
Burrowing Owls have a diverse and adaptable diet, which changes with season and habitat. They feed on:

• Insects, including beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, moths, and caterpillars

• Small mammals like mice, voles, and shrews

• Small birds, reptiles, and amphibians depending on availability

• Occasionally scavenge on roadkill or other remains near their nesting areas

Insects make up a larger portion of their diet during warmer months, while vertebrates dominate during cooler periods.

Hunting Strategy:
Burrowing Owls use a variety of hunting techniques suited to their open environments:

• Perch and pounce: They often hunt from low perches like fence posts, burrow mounds, or rocks, swooping down to snatch prey from the ground.

• Hover and drop: They can hover briefly before diving down on moving prey.

• Running chase: Thanks to their long legs, they are surprisingly fast on the ground and can chase insects or lizards on foot.

• Aerial pursuit: They are also capable of catching flying insects mid-air.

Feeding Behavior:

• Prey is usually swallowed whole; bones, fur, and insect shells are later regurgitated as pellets near the burrow entrance.

• During nesting season, the male does most of the hunting and delivers food to the female and chicks.

• Extra food is often stored in or near the burrow, allowing the family to feed during poor weather or low hunting success.

Social Foraging:
In areas where Burrowing Owls are found in loose colonies, hunting territories may overlap, but individuals still hunt solo. Their ability to live near agricultural fields, golf courses, and even airports demonstrates their flexibility and resilience as hunters in human-altered landscapes.

Burrowing Owls’ hunting behaviors—marked by ground agility, daytime activity, and a wide prey base—set them apart from many other owl species. Their success as predators depends on the availability of both open land and healthy prey populations.