The Burrowing Owl is a small, long-legged owl that nests underground in burrows dug by prairie dogs, ground squirrels, or tortoises — or sometimes dug by the owl itself. It is active during the day and often stands at the entrance to its burrow, bobbing up and down when alarmed. It lines its nest with mammal dung, thought to attract beetles that serve as prey.
Best time to see a Burrowing Owl
The best time to see a Burrowing Owl is January–June, when about 63% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 17,790 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
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