British Columbia Outdoor Wilderness Guide
Burrowing Owl
Speotyto cunicularia
Description
- This robin-sized nocturnal owl is short tailed and
long-legged. The adult is boldly spotted and barred; the
face is framed with white and has a blackish collar. The
eyes are yellow and they have no ear tufts. The voice
is a liquid cackling or a mellow "coo-coooo" which is
repeated twice.
Distribution - The burrowing owl breeds from Canada's
prairie provinces south throughout western America. They
winter in the southwestern states. They inhabit deserts,
plains, fields and airports.
Biology - This owl feeds on rodents, birds, reptiles,
fish and large insects. Although capable of digging its
own burrow, it usually will claim one abandoned by a prairie
dog or pocket gopher. After lining it with grasses, roots
and dung it will lay 5-7 white eggs there.
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