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Athene cunicularia hypugaea

Athene cunicularia hypugaea

The Burrowing Owl is a small, clever bird that lives in underground burrows. They have long legs and big eyes, and they can be found in open areas like grasslands and deserts.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The Athene cunicularia hypugaea is a small, long-legged owl with sandy-brown plumage, spotted white. It has distinctive bright yellow eyes and prominent white eyebrows, lacking ear tufts found on many other owl species.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderStrigiformesFamilyStrigidaeGenusAthene
Athene cunicularia hypugaea
feathered trait badgesocial trait badgeburrowing trait badgegrassland trait badge
Athene cunicularia hypugaea

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Burrowing owls sometimes store extra prey inside their homes for a future snack!

Their diet includes scorpions, and they sometimes remove the stinger before eating!

These clever owls decorate their burrow entrances with poop to attract tasty insects!

They wag their tails up and down when they get excited or feel threatened!

Special abilities

Ability

Subterranean Dweller

Athene cunicularia hypugaea can live underground in burrows, which helps them stay safe from predators and bad weather.

Ability

Rattlesnake Impersonator

Athene cunicularia hypugaea can mimic a rattlesnake's hiss to scare away intruders from its nest or burrow.

Ability

Daylight Hunter

Athene cunicularia hypugaea can hunt during the day, which helps them find food when many other owls are sleeping.

Ability

Ground Runner

Athene cunicularia hypugaea can run quickly on the ground, which helps them chase insects and escape from danger.

Measurements & details

Length
19-28 cm
Wingspan
50-61 cm
Weight
0.14-0.24 kg
Lifespan
6-9 years
Top Speed
50 km/h
Clutch Size
6-11
Incubation
28-30 days
Migration Distance
3000 km

Diet & Feeding

These owls feast on a diverse menu of insects and small rodents, often hunting by day or night.

Primary Foods

  • Grasshoppers
  • Beetles
  • Mice
  • Voles
  • Scorpions
  • Lizards

Foraging Method

  • Pursuit

Ecological connections

shelters

Black-tailed Prairie Dog

Cynomys ludovicianus

Uses abandoned burrows for nests and refuge.

eaten by

Ord's Kangaroo Rat

Dipodomys ordii

A common prey item in their North American habitat.

eaten by

Meadow Vole

Microtus pennsylvanicus

Frequently hunted, especially during breeding season.

hunts

Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis

Predatory bird that poses a threat to young owls.

symbiotic with

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

Crotalus atrox

Shares burrows, sometimes with a tense coexistence.

Traits

Also known as

Western Burrowing Owl

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

If you see a Burrowing Owl, watch quietly from a distance so you don't scare it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Athene cunicularia hypugaea?

19-28 cm

What is Athene cunicularia hypugaea's wingspan?

50-61 cm

How much does Athene cunicularia hypugaea weigh?

0.14-0.24 kg

How long does Athene cunicularia hypugaea live?

6-9 years

How fast can Athene cunicularia hypugaea move?

50 km/h

What does Athene cunicularia hypugaea eat?

These owls feast on a diverse menu of insects and small rodents, often hunting by day or night.

Where is Athene cunicularia hypugaea usually found?

Grasslands

How does Athene cunicularia hypugaea hunt?

Pursuit

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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