Burrowing Owl in January
Where burrowing owls are in January, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
January in the Burrowing Owl's year
January is the coldest month across most of the US and Canada. Natural food is at its scarcest — insects are dormant, many seed heads are stripped, and snow cover hides what remains. Birds concentrate where food is reliable, which makes this the single best month to watch a well-stocked feeding station.
For the Burrowing Owl specifically, January is a winter month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 20 states and provinces where burrowing owls occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where burrowing owls are in January
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In January, burrowing owls are absent in the South, year-round resident across the mid-latitudes, and absent in the northern states and Canada. That north–south split is the defining feature of this month: where you live changes which version of this bird you're looking at.
Nesting in January
Burrowing owls are not nesting in January. The season runs March–July at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, burrowing owls put their energy into feeding and flocking rather than territory and young — which is exactly what makes them easier to watch and attract this month.
What to feed in January
- Rodents and insects
Lives in prairie-dog and ground-squirrel burrows; artificial burrows are used where habitat is scarce.
Keep feeders consistently filled; birds add dependable stations to their daily foraging routes and suffer when one suddenly runs empty during a cold snap. High-energy foods matter most now.
Full Burrowing Owl diet guide → · Best feeder for burrowing owls →
Watching burrowing owls this month
Burrowing owls are settled and predictable in January, which makes this a good month to learn the bird's routine — same feeders, same perches, same times of day.
The state guides below show exactly where in your region burrowing owls are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Burrowing Owl month by month
Burrowing Owl by state
Frequently asked
Where are burrowing owls in January?
In January, burrowing owls are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do burrowing owls nest in January?
No — burrowing owls typically nest March through July at mid-latitudes.
What do burrowing owls eat in January?
Rodents and insects.
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.