# Burrowing Owl (*Athene cunicularia*) Burrowing owls are small owls that live underground in burrows. They have bright yellow eyes and long legs, and they are active during the day, unlike most owls. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 3 - **Habitat:** Grasslands - **Also known as:** Ground Owl, Prairie Owl ![Burrowing Owl](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424636/objects/5946.jpg) ## Appearance The Burrowing Owl is a small, sandy-brown owl with strikingly bright yellow eyes and prominent white eyebrows. It has long, bare legs and a short tail, making it look quite different from other owls and perfectly camouflaged in open, dry habitats. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Strigiformes - **Family:** Strigidae - **Genus:** Athene ## Interesting facts - Burrowing owls bob their heads up and down when curious or alarmed. So quirky! - Their long legs help them sprint and quickly pounce on ground-dwelling prey. - They often stand on one leg, looking like tiny statues in the grass! - They use burrows for safety, nesting, and raising their adorable fluffy owlets. ## Special abilities - **Underground Architect:** Burrowing Owls can live in amazing underground homes because they take over and adapt burrows dug by other animals. - **Rattlesnake Mimic:** Burrowing Owls have a clever defense that helps them scare away predators by making a buzzing sound just like a rattlesnake. - **Daytime Hunter:** Burrowing Owls can hunt for food during the day because of their sharp eyesight, unlike many other nocturnal owls. - **Poo Decorator:** Burrowing Owls have a unique way to trick insects into their home that helps them find food by lining their burrow with dung. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 19-28 cm - **Wingspan:** 50-60 cm - **Weight:** 0.14-0.24 kg - **Lifespan:** 6-10 years - **Speed:** 60 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 6-11 - **Incubation:** 28-30 days - **Migration Distance:** 1500 km ## Diet & Feeding These owls primarily munch on insects and small mammals found in grasslands and open areas! - **Primary Foods:** Grasshoppers, Beetles, Mice, Voles, Lizards, Scorpions - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** Black-tailed Prairie Dog (*Cynomys ludovicianus*) — Uses their abandoned burrows as homes. - **Hunts:** [California Vole](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-vole) (*Microtus californicus*) — A common small mammal prey item. - **Eaten by:** [Gopher Snake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/gopher-snake) (*Pituophis catenifer*) — Young owls are vulnerable to predation. - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — Adult owls can be prey for raptors. - **Hunts:** [Gray Bird Grasshopper](https://www.snappit.app/explore/gray-bird-grasshopper) (*Schistocerca nitens*) — A major insect food source. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Burrowing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/burrowing): Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low If you see a burrowing owl in the wild, admire it from a distance and avoid disturbing its burrow. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Burrowing Owl? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Burrowing Owl? 19-28 cm ### What is Burrowing Owl's wingspan? 50-60 cm ### How much does Burrowing Owl weigh? 0.14-0.24 kg ### How long does Burrowing Owl live? 6-10 years ### How fast can Burrowing Owl move? 60 km/h ### What does Burrowing Owl eat? These owls primarily munch on insects and small mammals found in grasslands and open areas! ### Where is Burrowing Owl usually found? Grasslands ## Where to spot - [Monument Rocks](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/monument-rocks) — Kansas, US · Nature Reserve - [Elmwood Park Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/elmwood-park-zoo) — Pennsylvania, US · Zoo - [Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arizona-sonora-desert-museum) — Arizona, US · Zoo - [Living Desert Zoo and Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/living-desert-zoo-and-gardens) — California, US · Zoo - [Charles Paddock Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/charles-paddock-zoo) — California, US · Zoo - [Grimpinger Hof Wildtierpark und Abenteuerland](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/grimpinger-hof-wildlife-park) — Nordrhein-Westfalen, DE · Zoo [View all places to see Burrowing Owl](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/burrowing-owl) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Burrowing Owl: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/burrowing-owl)