Florida Burrowing Owl

The Florida Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia floridana) is a tiny, long-legged owl.



It is listed as a species of special concern by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. It was so-designated in 1979 and is protected under the Commission's rule, Chapter 39 of the Florida Administrative Code.



It is also protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. Florida Burrowing Owls, ulike their western counterparts, are nonmigratory.



The Owl is subject to increased mortality resulting from vehicle collisions, predation by domestic animals and human harassment.



Other problems for these little owls are real estate development which has greatly reduced their favored habitat on dry hills. Man-made burrows are becoming common in urban areas that historically have owls. In several scientific studies involving man-made structures; eggs per nest and overall hatching success is lower.



Florida's burrowing owls prey on insects and small vertebrates. Beetles, grasshoppers and crickets are important food items. Other foods include crabs, crayfish, frogs, toads, lizards, brown anoles (lizards), snakes, rodents and small birds.



Foraging for prey involves low, short flights and occasionally, momentary hovering. These owls have been seen foraging on road-killed animals and on small migratory birds that have hit building windows or automobiles.



The owls measure approximately nine inches long with a wingspan of less than 2 feet.



Burrowing Owls, like Caracara, and Bald Eagles, exhibit extremely high nest site fidelity (use the same nest or site). Any open field with short grass and few trees, such as wet and dry prairie, cemeteries, airports, ball parks, golf courses, open fields, and dry lakes are favorable habitat.

Most known habitats in our area exist between I-95 and the St. Johns River, south of I-4.



A good place to see Burrowing Owls is on fence posts. While most owls are nocturnal, Burrowing Owls are primarily active during daytime hours with some night-time activity. The best time to catch a glimpse of one is around dusk or early morning. For the less adventurous. . .the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey in Maitland is only a short, 15 minute drive from here.