Burrowing Owl
Last Review/Updated: May 31, 2002
Athene cunicularia
A bird of the open country, the burrowing owl is almost always found on or close to the ground. It is easily identified by its long legs and short, barred tail. It is about 24 cm (9 in.) long. The head, neck and wings are light brown with white streaks on the crown and larger spots on the back and wings. A light line extends from under the throat down the middle of the breast and abdomen, and the plumage on either side is speckled and barred with brown.
The breeding season is spent from southern Canada to Latin America. Winter range includes the southern states and South America. In Alberta, it can be found in the short grass plains of the prairie life zone during the breeding season. At this time one of the adult birds is often observed on mounds of dirt adjacent to the nest burrows. Five to 7 eggs are laid at the end of a 1.5 to 3 m (5 to 10 ft.) burrow 30 to 90 cm (1 to 3 ft.) underground.
During the early evenings and mornings, the burrowing owl sets forth in search of insects and small mammals.
