Burrowing Owl
Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Dori" title="User:Dori">Dori</a> (CC BY-SA 3.0)
NameBurrowing Owl
Common NameBurrowing Owl
Scientific NameAthene cunicularia
FamilyStrigidae
Wingspan (cm)55
Length (cm)23.5
Weight (g)190
Plumage DetailsAdults have brown upperparts heavily spotted with white, and white underparts with brown barring and spotting. They have prominent white 'eyebrows' above their bright yellow eyes, and long, bare legs. Juveniles are similar but have less distinct spotting and barring.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include a two-note 'coo-coooo' or 'who-who' call, often given by males. They also produce chattering alarm calls and, when threatened in their burrows, a distinctive hiss that mimics a rattlesnake.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatsgrassland, prairie, desert, agricultural land
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound across western North America, Florida, parts of Mexico, Central America, and throughout much of South America.
Identifying FeaturesSmall size, Long legs, Yellow eyes, White 'eyebrows', Ground-dwelling behavior, Diurnal activity, Nests in burrows, Rattlesnake-like hiss
Description
The Burrowing Owl is a small, long-legged owl found in open landscapes. Unlike most owls, it is active during the day and nests in underground burrows, often dug by other animals. It is characterized by its bright yellow eyes and distinctive upright posture.
