Burrowing Owl

The Burrowing Owl, scientific name: Athene cunicularia is a small ground dwelling owl. It’s body length ranges from 81/2 to 11 inches with a wingspan of 20 to 24 inches and only weigh in at about 6 ounces. The Burrowing Owl’s diet ranges from beetles and grasshoppers, small mammals like bats, mice and rats, fruits, seeds, other birds and small reptiles.

During the nesting season (March and April), male owls will typically have two mates. The females will return to their burrows to lay and incubate 6-9 eggs. While the female incubates the eggs, she cannot leave the burrow for food so the male assumes the responsibility of feeding his mate(s). When the eggs hatch he will also assume primary parental duties.

In the wild, Burrowing Owls live for up to 9 years. Being a ground dwelling owl, their predators include badgers, skunks, ferrets, armadillos, snakes as well as larger birds like falcons and other species of owls. Another of their most dangerous threats is the automobile.