Did you know that there is a type of bird in the Northwest called a Burrowing Owl? “Why are they called Burrowing Owls,” you ask? After all, owls don’t burrow! They live in nests, way up high, not underground! In most cases this is true, but not for this owl!
In the western hemisphere, Burrowing Owls live in desserts, plains, and fields in western North America, and also in dry areas of central, and South America. And yes! They live underground! These owls search for vacant dens dug by other burrowing animals. On very rare occasions, they may dig their own dens. But most often, they will adapt an empty burrow to suit their needs, just like you do when you move into a new house!
After the males have found a burrow, the females get ready to lay their eggs! Their nesting season is from February to August. The females sit on their eggs and wait for them to hatch, which takes about 30 days. Both parents care for their chicks: the dad gets food and the mom watches them until they are ready to leave the burrow (usually 40 days after they hatch).
The owlets will hide in the den, and if they feel threatened, they will make a sound like a rattlesnake to scare off predators. The little owlets slowly move from the den, advancing farther and farther every day. Finally, they move to their own den and have their own chicks!
Burrowing Owls weigh about 6 ounces. If you were to hold 3 large eggs from the store, that is about how heavy this owl would be. They stand about 10 inches tall, which is about the length of 3 new crayons placed end to end. Their wingspan is about 20-24 inches wide. That is about four dollar bills long! They are generally not talkative, but can make a variety of noises, including cooing, clucking, warbling, rasping and screaming.
The burrowing owl can live for at least 9 years in the wild and over 10 years in captivity. Burrowing owls feed on many types of prey, including small mammals, lizards, birds, insects, and even other young burrowing owls when food is scarce. But unlike other owls, they will also eat fruits, and seeds. Even though they do eat some plants, they are still considered carnivorous, or meat eaters. These owls are preyed upon by many different predators, including falcons, hawks, and other large, carnivorous birds. Weasels and badgers also prey on burrowing owls, as well as bobcats and coyotes.
These amazing owls also help you! They are very strong hunters, keeping the snake and rodent population under control. They also keep bugs from becoming overwhelming in number. Their activity in the soil even helps certain types of plants survive in harsh environments like the Lomas of Peru. By breaking up the top layer of soil and building mounds of mixed soil beside their burrows, these amazing owls create little havens where struggling plant life can have a better chance of survival!
Although they are not endangered yet, their population is decreasing by as much as 4% a year in some states! So how can you protect them? Keep their habitats safe when you go play. Watch your step and be mindful. It is important to be aware of burrows, even if they are empty or occupied by different animals. Although there may not be an owl inside of a burrow now, you may be looking at the future home of one! Also, walk or ride your bicycle when you can, instead of using a car which releases dangerous fumes. Cars also pose a threat because owls can be easily hit. Pick up your trash and don’t leave chemicals around. Try to avoid pesticides because they can harm burrowing owls. Also, dogs and cats are natural predators of these owls, so it is important to be aware of your pets. And lastly, if you spot a burrowing owl, be careful not to accidentally harass them. They don’t like too much human attention. Sometimes, they can be scared away from their nests and abandon their eggs. Other times, protective parents accidentally attract attention from predators while trying to scare curious humans away.
These owls are fascinating, amazing, beautiful creatures that deserve to have a long, healthy, happy life! So let’s help them get exactly that! By learning about them, you can understand them, and by understanding them, you know how to protect them. With that knowledge you can enrich your own life and change the world, one owl at a time!
Comments