Burrowing Owl

1. WHERE IT LIVES

Burrowing owls are found in open dry grass.
They are also found on farms and range lands.
They can sometimes be seen sitting on fence posts.

2. APPEARANCE

They are about 20 cm tall. Their wings are 50 cm when they are spread out. They have a brown and white belly. They have yellow eyes and a yellow beak. Their face is white with a streak of brown. Their main color is brown.

3. FOOD

They like to eat large insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, and small mammals like mice, rats, gophers, and ground squirrels. They catch their prey by swooping down silently from above.

4.PREDATORS

Their natural enemies are larger owls, hawks, falcons, badgers, skunks, ferrets, and snakes.
They are killed often by vehicles when crossing the roads.

5. THE YOUNG

During late March and April they start preparing for their nest.
They pick up twigs, grass, leaves and any little debris that they can find.
They lay their eggs in their nest.
Their mother sits on the eggs for 28 to 30 days

6. INTERESTING FACTS

Burrowing owls live at least 9 years in the wild and over 10 years in captivity. They are listed as endangered, threatened, or as species of special concern in most states and provinces where they occur.

7. OTHER BURROWING OWL WEBSITES

Research done by Brittany H & Rorie, 9FG - CMJHS