Burrowing Owl

This is the Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia floridana). They live underground in burrows.



They're small, only about 10" (254 mm) tall weighing maybe 6 ounces (170 grams).



Unlike most owl species where the female is larger than the male, the sexes of the burrowing owl are the same.




They are known to eat mice, lizards, and insects. Unlike other owls burrowing owls are active during the day. They like an open field and can be seen perching on fence posts and trees.



Burrowing Owls have disappeared almost completely from their historic range due to destruction of habitat, pesticide use, and other human activities.



They are known to reproduce mainly in the early spring . . .but these appear to be quite young and in a spot where there were not found in February when I first blogged about the little owls.

The greatest threat to burrowing owls is habitat destruction and degradation caused primarily by land development.

They are listed as a species of special concern in Florida. Despite their protected status, burrowing owls and their burrows are routinely destroyed during the development process.

Droughts associated with climate change could pose additional problems for burrowing owls through reduced nest success and greater fire frequency.