Burrowing owls are small owls that live in open, treeless areas. They get their name from the fact that they nest and roost in burrows in the ground. Burrowing owls are found throughout North and South America. They are opportunistic hunters and will eat a variety of prey.
Insects
Insects make up a large part of the burrowing owl’s diet. They are an excellent source of protein for the owls. Some of the insects that burrowing owls are known to eat include:
- Beetles
- Crickets
- Grasshoppers
- Caterpillars
- Ants
- Flies
- Moths
- Spiders
- Scorpions
- Centipedes
- Earwigs
Burrowing owls hunt for insects mostly at night or in the early morning and evening hours. During the day, they remain in their burrows to avoid overheating. They will perch on a tall object like a fence post or dirt mound near their burrow entrance and watch for movement in the grass and ground. When they spot prey, they will swoop down quickly and snatch it up with their talons.
Small Mammals
In addition to insects, burrowing owls also prey on small mammals such as:
- Rodents – mice, voles, ground squirrels, prairie dogs
- Bats
- Moles
- Shrews
- Gophers
- Chipmunks
Small mammals can make up a significant portion of a burrowing owl’s diet, especially in the summer when young owl chicks need extra nutrition. The owls will hunt small mammals at dawn and dusk when they are most active. Again, they will watch for prey movement from a perch before swooping down for the kill.
Reptiles and Amphibians
Though not as common as mammals and insects, burrowing owls will also eat small reptiles and amphibians such as:
- Snakes
- Lizards
- Frogs
- Toads
- Salamanders
These prey items add variety to the owl’s diet and provide important vitamins and nutrients. Slow-moving amphibians are easy for the owls to catch.
Birds
On very rare occasions, burrowing owls have been known to prey on small birds like sparrows, finches, and young quail. However, birds do not make up a significant portion of their diet. They prefer mammals, insects, and amphibians that can be found on the ground around their burrows.
Carrion
Burrowing owls are opportunistic foragers and will occasionally scavenge on carrion – the decaying flesh of dead animals. They have been observed feeding on dead arthropods, reptiles, mammals and small birds that they have not killed themselves. This provides them an easy meal that requires minimal effort to obtain.
What They Don’t Eat
There are some things burrowing owls do not eat regularly as part of their normal diet:
- Large mammals – rabbits, squirrels, prairie dogs
- Birds of prey – hawks, eagles, falcons
- Songbirds
- Fish
- Grains/seeds – mostly insects and animal matter
So in summary, small size is key when it comes to the burrowing owl’s diet. They prefer insects, small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and carrion. Larger prey like rabbits or birds of prey are avoided.
Hunting and Feeding Habits
Here are some key facts about the burrowing owl’s hunting and feeding habits:
- Primarily crepuscular – most active at dawn and dusk
- Perch and wait hunting – watch for prey movement from fence post or dirt mound
- Feet have long talons for catching and grasping prey
- Fly quickly down from perch to ambush prey
- Sometimes chase prey on foot
- Eat most food on the spot, not much food storage
- Regurgitate pellets of indigestible material like fur, bones, shells
- Adults feed young regurgitated food during breeding season
- Nestlings fledge around one month old and start hunting on their own
Their excellent eyesight combined with swift flying allow burrowing owls to successfully catch a variety of small prey. They are well-adapted to hunting the prairies, grasslands, and deserts where they make their home.
Seasonal Variation
The burrowing owl’s diet can vary somewhat depending on the season:
- Spring – More insects and small mammals for regurgitating to hungry nestlings
- Summer – Greater focus on insects, amphibians, small mammals to feed growing chicks
- Fall – Shift back to insects, reptiles, amphibians, and some scavenging
- Winter – Primarily insects, some small mammals. May cache extra food in burrow.
The seasonal availability of prey drives some of these dietary changes. The protein needs of growing owlets also impact the amount of small mammals consumed in summer.
Population Differences
Burrowing owls reside across a wide geographic range in the Americas. Populations in different regions exhibit some variations in diet based on locally available prey. Here are some key differences by region:
| Region | Most Common Prey |
|---|---|
| Florida | Insects, frogs, lizards |
| Midwest prairies | Insects, small mammals like voles and pocket gophers |
| Southwest deserts | Insects, small reptiles, juvenile desert cottontail rabbits |
| Pacific Northwest | Voles, deer mice, insects, amphibians |
Availability of prey and slight variations in hunting habitat lead to some differences like increased frogs and lizards in Florida, more rabbits in the Southwest, etc. But overall the diet is quite similar across burrowing owl populations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, burrowing owls are opportunistic predators that feed on a variety of small prey. Their main diet consists of insects, small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and carrion. They employ a perch and wait hunting strategy, using their sharp talons to catch prey on the ground. Population and seasonal differences exist due to local prey availability and changing needs of owl nestlings. However, their diverse diet allows burrowing owls to thrive across a wide range of habitats in the Americas.
