Behavior -

The common name for the Athene cunicularia is the burrowing owl because they occupy burrows that have been previously dug by small mammals. These burrows are defended aggressively. Uniquely, this species of owl is active during the day. They are found in open areas with low ground cover and tend to stay close to their burrow in loose colonies about 90 meters (100 yards) apart. To communicate, the owls makes a chattering call and bob their heads when distressed or excited. The owls in the colony will protect each other from predators by alerting the group of an approaching threat. When the nesting season arrives, the owls will collect materials to line their nests and to leave in front of their burrows. Although a wide variety of materials are used, the most common is mammal scat. Researchers believe it is utilized to attract insects the owls can later consume. (“Fact Sheet”).

 

Reproduction -

The mating season for the owl is in the early spring and the clutch size can range between 3 and 12 eggs. The owlets will hatch in approximately one month, as the gestation period is 28 days. Both parents take care of the chicks. In two weeks, the young owls will begin appearing at the entrance of the burrow and in 45 days will leave the nest to hunt on their own. When they are very young, the owls can mimic rattlesnake noises to scare away predators. At six weeks, the chicks can fly skillfully (“Fact Sheet”).

 

Habitat -

The burrowing owl is mostly found in open, low-mid elevation grasslands. They live in burrows that are dug by other mammals. Ideally, the habitat has few trees, access to water, and is home to other burrowing mammals, snakes, cattle, rodents, and insects. However, they have be found in a wide variety of habitats such as golf courses, croplands, neighborhoods, airports, and dump sites (“Their World”). The map below illustrates the wide range of the burrowing owl in different parts of the year.  

 

Habitat Map -

 

Trophic Level -

During late spring and early summer, a burrowing owl diet mostly consists of small mammals, such as mice and moles, switching to insects in the later months. They can also eat small birds, reptiles, and amphibians. For the most part, burrowing owls are secondary consumers. Because of their smaller size, the owl is preyed on by larger owls, snakes, hawks, coyotes, foxes, weasels, badgers, and domestic cats and dogs (“Fact Sheet”).

 

Human Activity -

Biologists who have monitored the burrowing owl population over the past decade have noticed a sharp decline, due to a variety of forces. Some of these forces are due to human activity, others are due to natural predators. The three most significant threats to the burrowing owl are habitat loss, low reproduction, and high mortality. These owls like to live in spacious grasslands, which are also ideal for farmers, so much of their habitat has been cultivated for agriculture. The cultivation has left the owls restricted to small areas that are often cattle pastures. Other forms of habitat loss, such as urbanization, has negatively affect the owl population. Also, because they do not dig their own burrows, the owls rely on small mammals, such as prairie dogs, badgers, and ground squirrels to dig for them. Because these animals are often seen as pests, they are easily killed by pesticides, which can also kill other species. In regards to the low reproduction rate, there is evidence that the owlets are not being provided enough food to survive, possibly a result of habitat loss. In addition to the high mortality rate of chicks, the mortality rate for mature burrowing owls is high as well. A percentage of the loss of life is due to natural predators and many of these casualties occur on breeding grounds. However, others have died due to lack of food, vehicle collisions, urbanization, hunters, and pesticides. The level of conservation concern varies by region. Some areas have listed the the species as threatened or endangered and others have began conservation programs (“Problems Facing Burrowing Owls”).