The Burrowing Owl

Scientific name: Athene cuniculalria

Habitat: primarily grasslands and mountain parks, near prairie dog towns*; their range is from the southern prairie provinces of Canada to Colorado, down to southern California and Texas and are permanent residents of Florida* and they use abandoned rodent burrows, usually from prairie dogs*

Diet: rodents, small birds, eggs, nestlings, reptiles, and insects*; burrowing owls hunt anytime, day or night*

Coloration: brown with sandy sopts on back with cream colored belly and legs. The underside has brown stripes. Burrowing owls have yellow eyes, no ear tufts, and their faces are framed in white with a black collar*

Mating: sometimes nest in colonies.* The female can lay 6-11 eggs (7-9 is the average number in a clutch) and both parents share incubation responsibilities. The owlets are moved to a new burrow 2-4 weeks after their first above ground appearance and the family stays together until

September, when the annual migration to Mexico or Central America occurs.*

Fun Facts: Burrowing owls are about 9 inches tall, with a short tail and long legs.*

Source:

*http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/Profiles/Birds/BurrowingOwl.htm