Burrowing Owl
Athene cunicularia
The Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) is a common owl found in 26 countries, weighing about 151 g. The burrowing owl is a small, long-legged, primarily terrestrial—though not flightless—species of owl native to the open landscapes of North and South America.
About the Burrowing Owl
The burrowing owl is a small, long-legged, primarily terrestrial—though not flightless—species of owl native to the open landscapes of North and South America. They are typically found in grasslands, rangelands, agricultural areas, deserts, or any other open, dry area with low vegetation. They nest and roost in burrows, and, despite their common name, do not often construct these dwellings themselves, rather repurposing disused burrows or tunnels previously excavated and inhabited by other species, such as American badgers, foxes, ground squirrels or prairie dogs, among others.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Burrowing owls have bright eyes; their beaks can be dark yellow or gray depending on the subspecies. They lack ear tufts and have a flattened facial disc. The owls have prominent white eyebrows and a white "chin" patch which they expand and display during certain behaviors, such as a bobbing of the head when agitated. Adults have brown heads and wings with white spotting. Their chests and abdomens are white with variable brown spotting or barring, also depending on the subspecies. Juvenile owls are similar in appearance, but they lack most of the white spotting above and brown barring below.
What the Burrowing Owl sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Costa Rica, France.
When to see it
The Burrowing Owl can be seen all year round, with peak activity in May. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Watch the Burrowing Owl on live cams
Browse all 118 bird cams worldwide, live and seasonal, by region and species.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Burrowing Owl?
- Burrowing owls have bright eyes; their beaks can be dark yellow or gray depending on the subspecies. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Burrowing Owl?
- The Burrowing Owl is a medium sized bird weighing about 151 g.
- Where can you see a Burrowing Owl?
- The Burrowing Owl occurs in 26 countries, including the United States, Brazil, Argentina, Peru and Chile.
- What does a Burrowing Owl sound like?
- You can listen to a field recording of the Burrowing Owl on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Burrowing Owl?
- The Burrowing Owl is most easily confused with the Little Owl, the Spotted Owlet and the Guadalcanal Owl.
- Is the Burrowing Owl endangered?
- The Burrowing Owl is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Burrowing Owl for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.