Burrowing Owl

About the Burrowing Owl

The burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) is a small, long-legged, primarily terrestrial—though not flightless—species of owl native to the open landscapes of North and South America. They are typically found in grasslands, rangelands, agricultural areas, deserts, or any other open, dry area with low vegetation. They nest and roost in burrows, and, despite their common name, do not often construct these dwellings themselves, rather repurposing disused burrows or tunnels previously excavated and inhabited by other species, such as American badgers (Taxidea taxus), foxes (Vulpes sp.), ground squirrels or prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.), among others. Unlike most owls, burrowing owls are often active during the day, although they tend to avoid the heat of midday.

Source: Wikipedia

Classification

Scientific name

Athene cunicularia

Family

Owls

Order

Strigiformes

Similar species

Other members of the owls family recorded in North America — a useful place to start if you are not certain of your identification.

• Balsas Screech-Owl Megascops seductus
• Barred Owl Strix varia
• Bearded Screech-Owl Megascops barbarus
• Black-and-white Owl Strix nigrolineata
• Boreal Owl Aegolius funereus
• Central American Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium griseiceps
• Cinereous Owl Strix sartorii
• Colima Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium palmarum
• Crested Owl Lophostrix cristata
• Eastern Screech-Owl Megascops asio
• Elf Owl Micrathene whitneyi
• Eurasian Eagle-Owl Bubo bubo