Owls (Strigidae)
Burrowing Owl
Athene cunicularia. Large insects and small rodents, hunted day and night.
Owls (Strigidae)Burrowing OwlAthene cunicularia
- Scientific name
- Athene cunicularia
- Length
- 7.5–9.8 in
- Weight
- 5.3 oz
- Nest
- Underground burrow, often dug by mammals
- Entrance hole
- Does not use nest boxes
- Clutch
- 4–12 eggs
- Incubation
- 28 days
- Broods
- 1 per season
Identification
- Long-legged small owl that stands on the ground
- Bright yellow eyes and white eyebrows
- Spotted brown above, barred below
Voice
A soft, cooing 'coo-coooo'; young rattle like a rattlesnake.
Diet and feeding
Large insects and small rodents, hunted day and night.
What do burrowing owls eat? · Best feeder for burrowing owls
Burrowing Owls by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta | Summer breeder | April–July |
| Arizona | Year-round resident | February–July |
| California | Year-round resident | February–July |
| Colorado | Summer breeder | March–July |
| Florida | Year-round resident | February–July |
| Idaho | Summer breeder | March–July |
| Kansas | Summer breeder | March–July |
| Louisiana | Winter visitor | — |
| Manitoba | Summer breeder | April–July |
| Montana | Summer breeder | April–July |
| Nebraska | Summer breeder | March–July |
| Nevada | Summer breeder | March–July |
| New Mexico | Year-round resident | March–July |
| North Dakota | Summer breeder | April–July |
| Oklahoma | Summer breeder | March–July |
| Saskatchewan | Summer breeder | April–July |
| South Dakota | Summer breeder | March–July |
| Texas | Year-round resident | February–July |
| Utah | Summer breeder | March–July |
| Wyoming | Summer breeder | April–July |
Frequently asked
What do burrowing owls eat?
Large insects and small rodents, hunted day and night. At feeders: none — open short-grass ground with burrows is the habitat.
How big is a Burrowing Owl?
7.5–9.8 in long and 5.3 oz.
Do burrowing owls use birdhouses?
No. Underground burrow, often dug by mammals.
Sources
- Burrowing Owl — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Burrowing Owl life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Burrowing Owl — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.