Birds diurnal

Burrowing Owl

Athene cunicularia

The Burrowing Owl is the pint-sized architect of the prairie, trading the treetops for life underground. With their long legs and bright yellow eyes, these 'shocos' are as charismatic as they are unique.

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Quick Identification

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Size

7.5–11 inches (19–28 cm) tall; 20–24 inch (51–61 cm) wingspan; 5–8.5 oz (140–240 g)

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Colors

Mottled sandy-brown and white upperparts; pale chest with bold brown barring; bright yellow eyes and a greenish-yellow beak

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Key Features

Extraordinarily long, featherless legs
Flattened head with no ear tufts
Prominent white 'eyebrows' and throat patch
Distinctive bobbing or bowing motion when agitated

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours Dawn and dusk (crepuscular), but active throughout the day

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Season March-August (breeding season), though resident year-round in southern climates

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Diet Opportunistic carnivores; primarily large insects (grasshoppers, beetles) during the day and small mammals (voles, mice) or lizards at night.

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Habitat Open, dry areas with low vegetation, including grasslands, agricultural fields, golf courses, and vacant suburban lots.

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Behavior

Unlike most owls that prefer the cover of dense forests or the height of treetops, the Burrowing Owl is a creature of the open plains. These charismatic birds are highly social and often live in loose colonies, spending much of their time standing sentinel on the mounds of dirt outside their underground homes. They are famous for their comical 'bowing' display—a rapid up-and-down bobbing motion used to gauge distance or express alarm when a visitor approaches.

Burrowing Owls exhibit a fascinating blend of hunting styles. They are skilled at catching insects mid-air, but they also spend a significant amount of time running across the ground on their long legs to chase down beetles, grasshoppers, and small mammals. They have a unique 'decorator' habit where they line the entrance of their burrows with animal dung; this isn't just for insulation, but actually serves as a clever lure to attract the dung beetles that make up a large part of their diet.

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Camera Tips

Capturing the Burrowing Owl requires a low-profile approach. Because these owls live on the ground, your camera should be mounted just 6 to 12 inches off the earth. A short tripod or a stake mount is ideal. Position the camera about 10–15 feet away from a known burrow entrance to ensure you capture the 'porch' area where the owls spend most of their time preening, stretching, and socialising. Avoid placing the camera directly at the hole entrance, as this can be perceived as a threat or obstruct their path.

Since these owls are active during the day, you don't need to rely solely on infrared. Use high-definition video settings to capture their unique bobbing behavior and social interactions between pairs and chicks (owlets). A fast trigger speed is essential, especially for 'action' shots of them leaping into the air to catch bugs. If your camera has a 'burst' mode for photos, enable it to catch the moment they expand their wings or tilt their heads at 180-degree angles.

While you should never bait owls with food, you can improve your chances by placing a natural 'perch' near the burrow, such as a weathered fence post or a large rock. Burrowing Owls love to get a slightly elevated view of their surroundings to watch for predators like hawks or foxes. If you place a sturdy branch or post within the camera's field of view, it is highly likely the owl will utilize it as a lookout point.

Seasonal timing is key for the best footage. In late spring and early summer, the owlets begin to emerge from the burrow. This is when you will see the most activity, as the parents are constantly flying back and forth with food for their hungry brood. Ensure your camera is set to record during the 'golden hours' of dawn and dusk, as the low sun provides beautiful lighting against their sandy feathers and catches the brilliant yellow of their eyes.

Similar Species

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

Short-eared Owl

Larger with much shorter legs; often seen flying over fields at dusk rather than standing on the ground.

Little Owl

Found in Europe and Asia; lacks the long legs of the Burrowing Owl and nests in tree cavities rather than underground.

Elf Owl

Much smaller (the size of a sparrow) and strictly nocturnal, nesting in woodpecker holes in cacti or trees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Burrowing Owls are primarily diurnal, meaning they are active during the day. However, they do most of their heavy hunting during the crepuscular hours of dawn and dusk, and may stay active into the night to hunt small mammals.

You can attract Burrowing Owls by maintaining low-cut grass or native prairie landscapes. In some areas, installing artificial burrow systems (underground tunnels made of PVC and buckets) can provide safe nesting sites if natural burrows are scarce.

They have a varied diet consisting of large insects like grasshoppers and beetles, as well as small rodents, lizards, frogs, and occasionally small birds. They are known to use dung as a lure for beetles.

Yes, they are surprisingly adaptable. They are often found in vacant lots, golf courses, and near airports where the grass is kept short and there are plenty of burrowing rodents like ground squirrels.

Burrowing Owls are much smaller and have significantly longer, featherless legs. While Short-eared Owls also hunt in open fields, Burrowing Owls will almost always be seen on or near the ground or on low perches, whereas Short-eared Owls have a more buoyant, moth-like flight pattern.

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