Status: Bird of Conservation ConcernThe Western Burrowing Owl stands about seven to ten inches tall and weighs between 4 and 9 ounces. Unlike most bird species, the males are generally heavier and have longer wingspans than the females. Their feathers are a warm brown color with white speckles throughout.
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Threats to the SpeciesThe Western Burrowing Owl is threatened primarily by land use change and habitat degradation. Their burrows are often destroyed and the birds are displaced during development. They also suffer when humans put in place measures to control ground squirrel populations. They are also eaten by feral cats and dogs and often get hit by cars.
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Range and HabitatRange: Though the Western Burrowing Owl once lived all throughout western North America, its numbers are in sharp decline and it is disappearing from its historical range.
Habitat: The Western Burrowing Owl inhabits open spaces, such as grasslands, pasturelands, meadows, and deserts. |
Behavior and Species InteractionsPrey: These owls prey on small mammals, insects, reptiles, and amphibians. In order to catch their food, they perch in trees or hover in the air and swoop down to snatch their prey; they can also catch insects mid flight.
Predators: Coyotes and large birds of prey are the primary predators of the Western Burrowing Owl. |
Life CycleSpring
Breeding occurs and females lay between six and twelve eggs about a month later. Six weeks after hatching, juveniles leave the nest, but they tend to remain in their parents’ foraging territory. |
Resources
- "Burrowing Owl Facts." Burrowing Owl Conservation. Burrowing Owl Conservation Network, n.d. Web.
- Dechant, Jill A., Marriah L. Sondreal, Douglas H. Johnson, and Lawrence D. Igl. "Effects of Management Practices on Grassland Birds: Burrowing Owl." USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center (2002): n. pag. Web.
- "Saving the Western Burrowing Owl." Western Burrowing Owl. Center for Biological Diversity, n.d. Web.