Burrowing Owl

The Burrowing Owl is a small, distinctive owl of open grasslands, prairies, and deserts across the Americas, unusual among owls for nesting underground in burrows - often ones dug by prairie dogs, ground squirrels, or tortoises rather than by the owl itself.

Unlike most owls, it is frequently active during the day, often seen standing at the entrance of its burrow on long, bare legs, bobbing its head when alert.

Its plumage is brown, marked with white spotting above and barring below, and it entirely lacks ear tufts, giving it a round-headed, ground-adapted look distinct from forest owls.

Recognizing the feathers

• Upperside body feathers are brown with rounded white spots.
• Underside feathers show brown barring on a white to buff ground.
• Flight feathers are relatively small and rounded, suited to low, open-country flight rather than maneuvering through dense forest.
• No ear-tuft feathers are present, and the legs are notably long and only sparsely feathered compared to forest owls, an adaptation for a life spent partly on the ground.

Similar species

• Smaller size, spotted-then-barred pattern, and complete lack of ear tufts separate this species from Short-eared and Long-eared Owls, which are larger with more streaked plumage; the ground-dwelling habitat is also a strong contextual clue.

Plumage

Adults show brown upperparts with white spotting and brown-barred whitish underparts, with pale eyebrows and bright yellow eyes. Sexes look similar, though males may appear paler from sun exposure at burrow entrances.

Juveniles show a plainer, buffier, less barred plumage than adults, especially on the underparts, and are already noted for their proportionally long legs.

Molt occurs gradually over the summer and fall months.

Habitat & range

Found in open grassland, prairie, desert scrub, and agricultural land across much of the Americas, from western Canada through the United States, Central America, and parts of South America, and on some Caribbean islands.

Northern populations are migratory, moving south for winter, while populations in warmer regions are largely resident year-round.

Behavior & field notes

Nests and roosts in underground burrows, often those excavated by other burrowing mammals, and can be active by both day and night, frequently seen standing at burrow entrances.

Its diet includes insects, small mammals, and occasionally small reptiles or birds, often caught on the ground or in short flights.

Calls include a soft coo-coo song as well as harsh chattering alarm notes. A small brown feather with white spotting above and barring below, found near ground burrows in open grassland, is a strong indicator of this species.