Birds Active day and night

Burrowing Owl

Athene cunicularia

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

Meet the long-legged sentinel of the grasslands. These charismatic owls live underground and are famous for their comical 'bowing' behavior and fierce day-time guarding of their burrows.

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0 Habitats

Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 19-28 cm (7.5-11 in); Wingspan: 51-61 cm (20-24 in); Weight: 140-240 g (5-8.5 oz)

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Colors

Mottled brown and sandy-cream plumage with white spots; distinctive white chin patch and 'eyebrows'; bright yellow eyes

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Key Features

Extraordinarily long, sparsely feathered legs
Bright yellow eyes with no ear tufts
Compact, sandy-brown body with white spotting
Stands upright on the ground or on low perches

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active day and night

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Peak hours Dawn and dusk (Crepuscular), but frequently visible guarding burrows mid-day

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Season March-August (Breeding season in North America)

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Diet Opportunistic generalist; eats beetles, grasshoppers, and scorpions during the day, switching to mice, voles, and small birds at night.

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Habitat Open, dry landscapes with short vegetation, including grasslands, deserts, agricultural fields, golf courses, and vacant suburban lots.

public Geographic range

Where Does the Burrowing Owl Live?

Native to the vast open landscapes of North and South America, the Burrowing Owl maintains a sprawling range that stretches from the southern prairies of Western Canada through the American West and down into the tip of Argentina. While they are a staple of the Great Plains and the Florida peninsula in the United States, they are also found across the Caribbean and throughout the South American pampas. In the northern reaches of their territory, populations are migratory, heading south to Mexico and Central America for the winter, while those in tropical and southern regions are typically year-round residents.

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9 Countries

24M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

US United States MX Mexico BR Brazil AR Argentina CA Canada CO Colombia PE Peru CL Chile Cuba

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

Unlike most owls, Burrowing Owls are highly active during the day, though they prefer the cooler temperatures of dawn and dusk for hunting. They are famous for their unique habit of living in underground burrows, which they often 'decorate' with animal dung, feathers, and trash to attract insect prey. When disturbed or curious, they perform a comical 'bowing' motion, bobbing their heads up and down to improve their depth perception.

These owls are social compared to other raptors, sometimes nesting in small colonies where they act as sentinels, standing guard at the entrance of their tunnels. They are highly vocal, using a variety of chatters, clucks, and a distinctive 'coo-coooo' call. While they are capable of strong flight, they spend a significant amount of time walking or running across the ground in pursuit of prey.

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Camera Tips

To capture the best footage of Burrowing Owls, position your camera 10 to 15 feet away from a known active burrow entrance. Because these birds are ground-dwellers, mount your camera very low—ideally no more than 6 to 12 inches off the ground—using a stake or a specialized low-profile ground mount. Angle the lens slightly upward to capture the owls standing tall or performing their signature bowing behavior. If you are in an area with livestock, ensure your camera is protected by a security box, as cattle are notorious for rubbing against equipment.

Since these owls are active during the day, you don't have to rely solely on infrared night vision. Use a camera with a fast trigger speed and set it to burst mode or short video clips; their movements can be surprisingly quick when they are pouncing on insects. In the heat of the day, they may retreat into the burrow, so the 'golden hours' of morning and evening are your best bet for high-activity shots. Avoid placing the camera directly in front of the burrow mouth, as you don't want to obstruct their flight path or make them feel threatened.

A pro-tip for attracting them to your camera's field of view is to recognize their natural foraging habits. Burrowing Owls often use mammal dung to lure in dung beetles. If you notice them bringing manure to their burrow, place your camera to cover the area where the dung is being deposited. Never use artificial baits or audio lures, as these can stress the birds and disrupt their natural hunting patterns. During the spring and summer, keep your camera running 24/7 to catch the adorable moment when the fluffier owlets emerge from the burrow for the first time.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Burrowing Owl.

Short-eared Owl

Much larger with shorter legs; nests in tall grass rather than underground burrows.

Elf Owl

Tiny (sparrow-sized) and lacks the long legs of the Burrowing Owl; nests in cactus cavities rather than the ground.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Burrowing Owls are unique because they are active both day and night. However, they are most active during crepuscular hours (dawn and dusk) when they do the majority of their hunting. During the day, you will most likely see them standing guard at the entrance of their burrow.

To attract Burrowing Owls, you need an open landscape with very short grass. Avoid using pesticides, as they rely on insects for food. In some areas, you can install artificial nesting burrows (tunnels made of PVC pipe leading to a buried chamber) to provide a safe home if natural burrows are scarce.

They are generalist predators. During the day, they mainly eat large insects like grasshoppers, beetles, and crickets. At night, they switch to hunting small mammals such as mice and voles, as well as reptiles, frogs, and occasionally small birds.

Yes, Burrowing Owls are surprisingly well-adapted to human environments. They are frequently found on golf courses, at airports, and in vacant suburban lots, provided there is loose soil for burrows and plenty of open space to hunt.

The most obvious difference is their legs: Burrowing Owls have very long, stilt-like legs, while Short-eared Owls have shorter, heavily feathered legs. Additionally, Burrowing Owls live in the ground, whereas Short-eared Owls nest in tall grass and are significantly larger.

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