Description: Measuring about ten inches in length, the diurnal Burrowing Owl is a ground-dwelling raptor that is mottled brown and white with bright yellow eyes. It has prominent white "eyebrows" and a white chin. It is the only owl commonly found in the lower 48 states that spends most of its time on the ground, and is one of our birds of prey in which the male and female are of equal size. In addition, it is unusual among owls in that it has extremely long legs and lives in burrows. Although it is fully capable of digging its own burrow, this owl usually takes over an old prairie dog or armadillo burrow. In fact, groups of Burrowing Owls often live side-by-side with prairie dogs in prairie dog towns. Burrowing Owls, unlike prairie dogs, often line their burrows with cow manure to attract dung beetles, which are then consumed.

Diet: Insects, scorpions, small mammals, birds, and reptiles. The owl hops on its prey or pounces on it from a fencepost or hill.

Range: The Burrowing Owl breeds throughout the western Great Plains and the American West. Large populations also breed and winter throughout Mexico, northern South America, and the southern half of South America. Isolated populations occur throughout much of Florida and the West Indies.

Habitat: Grasslands, golf courses, deserts, dry areas, airports, and other flat regions.

Status: The Burrowing Owl has declined in numbers. It is now considered endangered in some states. Burrowing Owls are frequently killed by cars and are preyed upon by rattlesnakes, coyotes, cats, and dogs.