14-8-2017 AMSTERDAM ZOO, NETHERLANDS - BURROWING OWL (Athene cunicularia)

Burrowing owls are monogamous; pairs may stay together for one breeding season or mate for life. Occasionally males may be polygynous and have two mates. The breeding season begins in late March or April in North America. Burrowing owls sometimes nest in loose colonies in open grassland or prairie, but may occasionally adapt to other open areas like airports, golf courses, and agricultural fields. They also often nest near roads, farms, homes, and regularly maintained irrigation canals. The nest is located in a burrow; if burrows are unavailable and the soil is not hard or rocky, the owls may excavate their own. The female will lay a clutch, which can consist of 4 to 12 eggs (usually 9). She will then incubate the eggs for 3 to 4 weeks while the male brings her food. After the eggs hatch, both parents will feed the young. Four weeks after hatching, the owlets can make short flights and begin leaving the nest burrow. The parents will still help feed their young for 1 to 3 months until they are ready to hunt their own meals.

Burrowing owls are common and widespread in open regions of many countries in Central and South America. However, these birds are endangered in Canada and threatened in Mexico. They are a state-threatened species in Colorado and Florida. The major reasons for declining populations in North America are control programs for prairie dogs and loss of habitat. Other important threats include collisions with vehicles when crossing roads, the use of pesticides, shooting, and predation by feral and domestic cats, dogs, coyotes, and snakes.

According to the All About Birds resource the total breeding population size of the Burrowing owl is around 2 million individuals. According to the Defenders of Wildlife resource, the total population size of the species is less than 10,000 breeding pairs. Overall, currently Burrowing owls are classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List but their numbers today are decreasing.

Burrowing owls control populations of small mammals and insects that they consume in their diet. In turn, these little owls also serve as food items for some local predators.