Burrowing Owl
Scientific Name: Athene cunicularia
Habitat: grasslands, desert
Diet: mainly insects; also small mammals, reptiles, bats
Life span: 9 years (12 years in captivity)
Young: 6-9 eggs/clutch
Size: 170–214 g (0.3-0.5 lbs)
These owls are migratory, leaving Alberta to spend the winter in Mexico.
Burrowing owls nest underground in abandoned ground squirrel holes. They make a sound similar to a rattlesnake to scare away predators. The loss of ground squirrel habitat due to farming has reduced prime nesting sites for the owl, hence the endangered status.
Learn more about this species:
These are some other websites that we think have more great information about this species.
Burrowing owl on Animal Diversity Web
For More Information
Edmonton Valley Zoo
13315 Buena Vista Road (87th Avenue)
PO Box 2359
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2R7
| attractions@edmonton.ca |
Range
Range: North and South America
Status in the Wild
Status: endangered
