The Burrowing Owl.

The Burrowing Owl is officially known as; athene cunicularia hypugaea and

is one of the smallest species of owls. They weigh about 4 ounces and are only nine inches tall. They have a very short tail and very long legs. They live in North and South America and in the U.S.

I saw my first burrowing owl in Florida, but they live mainly in the west part of the USA. There are a small number of them that also live in parts of South and Central Florida.

The burrowing owl is in danger due to farming and building but at least some are safe now. A group of burrowing owls were given a new home in the Flamingo Gardens Everglades Wildlife Sanctuary in Florida, where their population is now multiplying.

The burrowing owl is different from other owls in two ways. Most owls are nocturnal and are active at night, but the burrowing owl is active during the day.

Another way they are different is that the burrowing owl burrows into holes in the ground to live instead of making a nest. The owl makes its own holes, but it will also live in abandoned rabbit and squirrel holes. When the owl sees danger, it will bobs up and down a few times, and then vanish into its burrow.

I learned a lot about these little owls by observing them for hours at a time. I came to learn more by reading books and by surfing the Net.

I will be sharing my interest in the burrowing owl and show you some great places to go find out more.

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