Yes, burrowing owls do burrow.
They live in burrows dug by other animals such as prairie dogs, ground squirrels, kangaroo rats, armadillos, skunks, or pocket gophers
. In the absence of suitable homes created by these animals, they have been known to nest in piles of PVC pipe and other lairs unintentionally provided by humans. Burrowing owls can be found in grasslands, rangelands, agricultural areas, deserts, or any other open, dry area with low vegetation. They are the only small owl species to perch on the ground and are so terrestrial that when disturbed, they will often run or flatten themselves against the ground, rather than fly away.
- What Are Some Distinctive Features Of Owl Burrows And How Do They Differ From Burrows Created By Other Animals?
- Are There Specific Owl Species That Are More Likely To Burrow Than Others? If So, What Are The Reasons Behind This Variation?
- How Do Owls Utilize Their Burrows, And What Purposes Do These Burrows Serve In Their Daily Lives And During Different Stages Of Their Life Cycle?
- Helpful Resources
What Are Some Distinctive Features Of Owl Burrows And How Do They Differ From Burrows Created By Other Animals?
Burrowing owls are small, sandy-colored owls with bright-yellow eyes that live in underground burrows they’ve dug themselves or taken over from other burrowing animals.
Here are some distinctive features of owl burrows and how they differ from burrows created by other animals:
- Nesting Sites: Burrowing owls tend to use areas with a high density of surrounding burrows, which may provide extra escape options for developing young.
They prefer sites with loose soil, a bit of elevation to avoid flooding, and nearby lookouts such as dirt mounds, bushes, fence posts, or road signs. - Burrow Creation: Burrowing owls use burrows dug by prairie dogs, ground squirrels, badgers, marmots, skunks, armadillos, kangaroo rats, and tortoises.
Both members of a pair enlarge and maintain the existing burrow by digging with their beaks and kicking back soil with their feet.
Most owls use existing burrows, but in Florida and the Caribbean, they usually excavate their own burrows and on rare occasions western owls excavate their own burrows.
Nonmigrating owls use burrows year-round. - Nest Preparation: Before laying eggs, burrowing owls carpet the entrances to their homes with animal dung, which attracts dung beetles and other insects that the owls then catch and eat.
They may also collect bottle caps, metal foil, cigarette butts, paper scraps, and other bits of trash at the entrance, possibly signifying that the burrow is occupied. - Size: Burrowing owls are one of the smallest owl species, reaching only 9 inches (23 centimeters) in height and weighing as little as 4-7 ounces (113-198 grams) .
- Location: Burrowing owls live in deserts, plains, fields, and grasslands of western North America, and drier regions of Central and South America.
They prefer areas of flat open ground with very short grass or bare soil.
Prairie-dog towns once furnished much ideal habitat in the west, but these are now scarce, and the owls are found on airports, golf courses, vacant lots, industrial parks, and other open areas. - Adaptability: In the absence of suitable homes created by ground squirrels, prairie dogs, desert tortoises, or other burrowing animals, burrowing owls have been known to nest in piles of PVC pipe and other lairs unintentionally provided by humans.
Conservationists make use of the owls’ adaptability by supplying artificial burrows made of buckets, pipes, tubing, and other human-made materials.
Are There Specific Owl Species That Are More Likely To Burrow Than Others? If So, What Are The Reasons Behind This Variation?
Burrowing owls are a small species of owl that nest in burrows, hence their name.
While some species of burrowing owl can dig their own burrows, most species rely on burrowing animals to burrow holes that the owls can use as shelter and nesting space.
There is a high correlation between the location of burrowing animal colonies, like those of ground squirrels, with the presence of burrowing owls.
Burrowing owls are found in grasslands, deserts, sagebrush flats, golf courses, and other open landscapes in North and South America.
They are one of the smallest owl species, reaching only 9 inches in height and weighing as little as 4-7 ounces.
Unlike most other owls, burrowing owls are diurnal, or most active during the day.
They are very energetic, bobbing up and down when they perch, and are the only small owl species to perch on the ground.
When threatened, they will often run or flatten themselves against the ground, rather than fly away.
There is no evidence to suggest that specific owl species are more likely to burrow than others.
Burrowing owls are the only species of owl that are known to nest in burrows.
The burrowing owl has several adaptations more often seen in subterranean mammals such as gophers and moles, such as a higher tolerance for carbon dioxide, which allows it to nest and roost in tunnels lacking fresh airflow.
How Do Owls Utilize Their Burrows, And What Purposes Do These Burrows Serve In Their Daily Lives And During Different Stages Of Their Life Cycle?
Burrowing Owls are small, sandy colored owls with bright-yellow eyes that live underground in burrows they’ve dug themselves or taken over from a prairie dog, ground squirrel, badger, marmot, skunk, armadillo, kangaroo rat, or tortoise.
They tend to use areas with a high density of surrounding burrows, which may provide extra escape options for developing young.
Preferred sites have loose soil, a bit of elevation to avoid flooding, and nearby lookouts such as dirt mounds, bushes, fence posts, or road signs.
Burrows are important for protection from weather and predators, for raising young, and for controlling temperature.
The male lines the tunnel and nest chamber with dried plants, feathers, and dry, shredded cow manure, which may help to keep the burrow cool during the day and warm at night, helping to incubate the eggs.
It also humidifies the burrow and may protect the owls from predators by masking the birds’ scent.
After arranging the nest, the male rarely enters the burrow, but he provides food for the female, who stays underground to incubate the eggs and brood the young.
Here are some ways that Burrowing Owls utilize their burrows:
- Nesting: Burrowing Owls use burrows for nesting and raising their young.
Both members of a pair enlarge and maintain the existing burrow by digging with their beaks and kicking back soil with their feet.
Most owls use existing burrows, but in Florida and the Caribbean, they usually excavate their own burrows and on rare occasions western owls excavate their own burrows.
Nonmigrating owls use burrows year-round. - Protection: Burrows provide protection from weather and predators.
- Temperature control: Burrows help to control temperature, keeping the burrow cool during the day and warm at night, helping to incubate the eggs.
- Hunting: Burrowing Owls may be seen standing on dirt mounds near their nesting burrows or perched on nearby fence posts, ready to chase prey.
They control populations of small mammals and insects that they consume in their diet.
Before laying eggs, Burrowing Owls carpet the entrances to their homes with animal dung, which attracts dung beetles and other insects that the owls then catch and eat.
They may also collect bottle caps, metal foil, cigarette butts, paper scraps, and other bits of trash at the entrance, possibly signifying that the burrow is occupied.
Nesting owls tend to use areas with a high density of surrounding burrows, which may provide extra escape options for developing young.
Conservationists make use of the owls’ adaptability by supplying artificial burrows made of buckets, pipes, tubing, and other human-made materials.