Burrowing owl

Athene cunicularia · The burrowing owl is a small, long-legged owl that lives in open, dry landscapes across North and South America.

Burrowing owl
Photo: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0
Burrowing owl
Photo: travelwayoflife, CC BY-SA 2.0
Burrowing owl
Photo: © Frank Schulenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0

Taxonomy

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassAves
OrderStrigiformes
FamilyStrigidae
GenusAthene
SpeciesAthene cunicularia

Where it lives

Prairies and deserts from western Canada to Patagonia; also Florida.

Fun facts

  • When threatened, a burrowing owl retreats into its burrow and makes rattling and hissing sounds like a rattlesnake.
  • Its extra-long legs let the burrowing owl sprint after prey, much like a greater roadrunner.
  • Burrowing owls place dung of large plant-eating mammals around their burrows to attract dung beetles, giving them a steady source of food.
  • Unlike most owls, burrowing owls are often active during the day, though they tend to avoid the heat of midday.

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Facts and taxonomy adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).