Burrowing owls are a unique species of owl that live in underground burrows rather than trees. They can be found across western North America, Mexico, and parts of Florida. Here is a look at what states burrowing owls call home.
Western States
The western United States is a stronghold for burrowing owls. They can be found across the Great Plains and in desert regions of the Southwest. Some of the key western states where burrowing owls live include:
- California – There are estimated to be under 10,000 breeding pairs left in California, mostly in the Imperial Valley and Central Valley.
- Colorado – Burrowing owls are scattered across the eastern plains and can even be found in the suburbs of Denver.
- Idaho – Burrowing owls thrive in the Snake River Plain and can be seen at the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area.
- Montana – The birds inhabit prairie dog towns and other short-grass prairies across the eastern and central parts of the state.
- Nevada – They occupy areas like the Lahontan Valley wetlands and shrub-steppe deserts of central Nevada.
- New Mexico – Burrowing owls are common in grasslands and plains throughout New Mexico.
- Oregon – Scattered populations breed in areas like the high desert region near Burns.
- Texas – Burrowing owls are found in suitable habitat throughout Texas, including on the coastal prairies.
- Utah – Though declining, they can still be found in areas with colonies of prairie dogs or ground squirrels.
- Washington – Small populations have been reported in shrub-steppe regions of eastern Washington like the Hanford Reach National Monument.
- Wyoming – Burrowing owls occupy prairie dog towns and grasslands, especially on the eastern plains.
Midwestern States
While less common than in western states, burrowing owls can be found in scattered pockets of habitat in the Midwest. Key states include:
- Iowa – They nest in and around airports and occasional natural grasslands on the northern and western edges of the state.
- Minnesota – Small numbers breed in the far western and southwestern parts of the state.
- Missouri – Burrowing owls are rare breeders primarily found in the northwestern corner of the state.
- Nebraska – Fairly small breeding populations can be found on the shortgrass prairies of western Nebraska.
- North Dakota – Occasional nesting birds are reported from badlands regions like Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
- Oklahoma – Burrowing owls can be found in prairie dog towns and other habitats in the western half of the state.
- South Dakota – The majority of the state’s tiny breeding population is found in the Conata Basin in the southwest.
- Wisconsin – Just a handful of breeding records exist, mostly from airports and grasslands in the far southwest corner.
Southeastern States
In the southeastern United States, burrowing owls are restricted to one small breeding population in Florida. They are also rare winter visitors to states like Louisiana.
- Florida – A small breeding population of burrowing owls is found at Cape Coral, with scattered wintering birds elsewhere like at airports.
- Louisiana – Burrowing owls are accidental winter visitors and have been spotted at places like Shreveport Regional Airport.
Southwestern States
In addition to the southwestern states discussed earlier, burrowing owls can be found in lower densities across other parts of the region such as:
- Arizona – Found across much of the state in areas with low vegetation like grasslands or desert.
- Kansas – Occupy shortgrass prairie habitats primarily in the western third of Kansas.
- New Mexico – One of the strongholds for burrowing owls with birds scattered across suitable habitat.
Mexico
Burrowing owls also occupy parts of Mexico, being found in scrublands and grasslands across many northern and central states of the country. Some key areas they inhabit include:
- Baja California and Sonora – Found in northern desert regions.
- Chihuahua – Scattered populations in grasslands.
- Coahuila – Occupy desert scrub areas.
- Jalisco – Live in pastures and farmland with low vegetation.
- Mexico State and Puebla – Found in high plateau grasslands.
- San Luis Potosi, Zacatecas, and Aguascalientes – Located in central semi-arid scrublands.
- Yucatan Peninsula – Occupy tropical grasslands and scrub.
Population Declines
Unfortunately, burrowing owl populations have declined substantially since the early 1900s. Habitat loss from urbanization and agricultural conversion are major factors, along with control programs aimed at their rodent prey like prairie dogs. They are listed as Endangered in Canada and Threatened in Mexico. In the United States, they are considered a Bird of Conservation Concern and listed on various state endangered species lists.
Habitat
Burrowing owls require open habitats with low, sparse vegetation, such as grasslands, prairies, pastures, and deserts. They are often associated with burrowing mammals like prairie dogs and ground squirrels, moving into abandoned burrows built by these animals.
Unique Adaptations
Burrowing owls have several unique adaptations that allow them to thrive in open, underground habitats:
- Long legs allow them to sprint rapidly across the ground to catch prey like insects, small mammals, and reptiles.
- Brown camouflage plumage lets them blend in with dry grassland environments.
- Excellent daylight vision and ability to navigate in total darkness aids their burrow lifestyle.
- Short wings allow for easy maneuvering in tight underground burrows.
- Tolerant of extreme heat found in burrows and some of the arid environments they inhabit.
Conservation
Conservation programs across the western U.S. aim to restore and protect burrowing owl populations. These include:
- Installing artificial burrows where natural burrows are lacking.
- Protecting and managing habitat through conservation easements, land acquisition, and working with private landowners.
- Reintroducing captive-bred owls.
- Controlling predators like coyotes that may prey on nesting owls.
- Working to balance rodent control programs with the needs of owls that depend on rodents as prey.
With active management efforts, it is hoped that burrowing owl numbers can stabilize and populations can remain a part of North America’s grassland ecosystems.
Conclusion
Burrowing owls can be found across much of western North America from Canada through the western and central United States into Mexico. They inhabit open habitats including grasslands, prairies, pastures, deserts, and scrublands where they nest underground in abandoned burrows. While populations have declined due to habitat loss and predator control programs, conservation efforts aim to protect existing owl populations and habitat.
