The Burrowing Owl makes its home in the Canadian Prairies, in western and central United States and Mexico. It is one of nature's most unique birds; living in ground burrows abandoned by other animals, such as badgers, and making solo flights to the south for the winter months.
This owl has no ear tufts like other owls but does posses those all too familiar bright yellow eyes, as well as yellow beaks. Male and female owls look almost identical and neither have feathers on their legs. Most of the owl's diet consists of insects, beetles and grasshoppers, but they will also eat small rodents, salamanders, toads, frogs, small snakes and other dead animals.
What are Other Inspiring Characteristics of the Burrowing Owl?
This unique bird stands just 9 1/2 inches tall; that makes them smaller than a pigeon. The owl weighs in at a maximum nine ounces and can mimic the hiss of a rattle snake. Its brown coloring with white flecks helps to keep it camouflaged on the flat, open prairie lands. The observer will also note that the birds have dark bars across their chests. The hissing sound they can make helps to protect young chicks from larger prey. The owl likes to line his burrow with shredded cow manure and dried plants. These items apparently help keep the burrows warm for newly hatched chicks.
After arranging the nest the male owl usually stays out of the burrow. He will bring food to the female as she spends time incubating anywhere from 4 to 12 eggs. The chicks are born blind so they rely on the mother owl for food and warmth. Not all the chicks will survive, and in times of food shortages these owls may resort to cannibalism.
Why is the Burrowing Owl in Danger of Extinction?
These owls make their homes in deserts and prairies, but the prairies are often subjected to plowing by farmers. The result of course is loss of the burrows. The use of chemical pesticides, it rid fields of ground squirrels, has also played a role in the diminishing numbers of this unique creature. Cats and dogs left to stray the fields have also been known to kill these owls.
Their lifespan is very short, normally only 3 to 4 years, but occasionally as long as 8 years. This, combined with the loss of owls to natural predators such as badgers, foxes, skunks, snakes and hawks, as well as man made causes may soon see their complete extinction.
Interested readers can learn more about the Burrowing Owl by visiting Hinterland Who's Who or The Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre and discover simple ways to help protect one of natures most unique animals.
Wendy Getchell - I am a retired Registered Nurse writing articles on health as well as many other areas of interest. I have taken the life of a freelance ...
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