Burrowing Owl

A soft coo-coo rises into a more open final note. The little phrase sounds surprisingly quail-like for an owl.

Partially migratory. Northern populations migrate south for winter, while southern populations are year-round residents.

Inhabits open landscapes with sparse vegetation including grasslands, deserts, agricultural areas, and urban vacant lots. Requires burrows for nesting and roosting, often using abandoned prairie dog, ground squirrel, or tortoise burrows. May dig their own burrows in softer soils, particularly in Florida.

Often active in daylight, especially around a nest, but also hunts at dusk and after dark. Breeding timing varies across its range, with nesting activity commonly stretching from late winter or spring into summer.

The Burrowing Owl is a small, ground-dwelling owl with long legs, a short tail, and a rounded head without ear tufts. It has sandy-brown plumage with white spotting on the back and barring on the chest and belly. Its bright yellow eyes and white eyebrows give it a stern, attentive expression. Unlike most owls, it is often active during daylight hours.