The burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) is a small, long-legged owl found throughout open landscapes of North and South America. Burrowing owls can be found in grasslands, rangelands, agricultural areas, deserts, or any other open dry area with low vegetation. They nest and roost in burrows, such as those excavated by prairie dogs . Unlike most owls, burrowing owls are often active during the day, although they tend to avoid the midday heat. Like many other kinds of owls, though, burrowing owls do most of their hunting from dusk until dawn, when they can use their night vision and hearing to their advantage. Living in open grasslands as opposed to forests, the burrowing owl has developed longer legs that enable it to sprint, as well as fly, when hunting.


When hunting, they wait on a perch until they spot prey. Then, they swoop down on prey or fly up to catch insects in flight. Sometimes, they chase prey on foot across the ground. The highly variable diet includes invertebrates and small vertebrates, which make up roughly one-third and two-thirds of the diet, respectively. Burrowing owls mainly eat large insects and small rodents.


The burrowing owl is endangered in Canada and threatened in Mexico. It is a state threatened species in Colorado and Florida. It is common and widespread in open regions of many Neotropical countries, where they sometimes even inhabit fields and parks in cities. In regions bordering the Amazon Rainforest they are spreading with deforestation.

Awesome post. Thanks for sharing.

Had no idea they can be found in Williamson county. Saw them all the time in eastern Colorado. There is a reason they are endangered there; absolutely suicidal around country roads. Grain trucks there always hit them as they fly around after grasshoppers during harvest. Very cool bird for sure though and always loved watching them hunt or get in fights with butcher birds (shrikes).

Great pics and equally as good bio write up. Beautiful birds , great thread !!

Great photo's and information on burrowing owl habitat and foraging.

Very cool pics. I love owls. Thanks for sharing

Cool photos! Thanks for sharing.

he looks mad

Beautiful!!

thanks for the pics.