Burrowing owls are a unique and interesting bird species that have made parts of Arizona their home. These small owls live in underground burrows and can often be spotted standing at the entrance or perched on a low post, keeping watch. If you know where to look, Arizona offers excellent opportunities to observe these owls in their natural habitat.
What is a burrowing owl?
Burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia) are small, long-legged owls that live in open, treeless areas. They get their name from their habit of nesting underground in burrows dug out by other animals like prairie dogs, ground squirrels, and tortoises. Burrowing owls have brown and white spotted plumage that provides good camouflage against the dirt and vegetation around their burrows.
These owls are different from most other owls in that they are active during the day, especially at dawn and dusk when they hunt for insects, small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. They have many adaptations that allow them to thrive in arid, open habitats, including specialized feathers for heat dissipation and the ability to conserve water. Burrowing owls also utilize man-made structures like culverts, cement pipes, and artificial burrows for nesting and roosting.
Size and appearance
Burrowing owls are relatively small, growing to about 7 to 10 inches in length with a wingspan of 21 to 24 inches. Their most distinctive features include long legs, bright yellow eyes, and lack of ear tufts. Their coloration is sandy brown mottled with white spots and barring. These plumage colors and patterns allow burrowing owls to blend in with dusty earth well.
Habits and behavior
These small owls exhibit several interesting behaviors and adaptations:
- Burrowing owls live in loose colonies, often in proximity to prairie dog or ground squirrel burrows that provide them with nesting and roosting sites. They may also dig their own burrows.
- They are active during the day (diurnal) unlike most owl species. Peak activity periods are at dawn and dusk.
- Burrowing owls have a unique bobbing behavior when alarmed or excited, moving up and down in a pumpjack fashion.
- They are often seen standing at the entrance to their burrow or perched on a low post, keeping an eye out for predators and prey.
- Their diet is eclectic and can include insects, small mammals like mice or voles, small reptiles, amphibians, and sometimes even fruit.
- Burrowing owls exhibit high site fidelity, often reusing burrows year after year.
- They are susceptible to vehicle collisions and predation when crossing roads between burrow sites.
Where to see burrowing owls in Arizona
Several areas across Arizona provide prime viewing opportunities to spot burrowing owls in their natural habitat:
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
This National Park Service site protects a group of Hohokam ruins in Coolidge, Arizona. Burrowing owls take advantage of the rodent burrows scattered throughout the protected area of this historic site. The owls can often be spotted peeking out from burrows or perched on short posts keeping an eye out for danger and scanning for prey.
Imperial National Wildlife Refuge
This protected wildlife refuge outside of Yuma is a stronghold for burrowing owls in Arizona. The refuge landscape is characterized by arid grasslands, agricultural fields, and irrigation canals – perfect burrowing owl habitat. Over 200 burrowing owl nests have been recorded here during annual surveys, making it one of the best places to spot this desert owl.
Willcox Playa
This expansive playa lakebed located northeast of Willcox is a hotspot for migrating and wintering burrowing owls. They nest in burrows in the area and utilize the shortgrass prairie habitat. Willcox Playa sees high burrowing owl numbers during the winter months between November and February as migrants join resident owls.
Phoenix and surrounding towns
Burrowing owls have adapted surprisingly well to life in the expanding urban and suburban areas around cities like Phoenix, Tucson, and Casa Grande. Canal banks, golf courses, airports, and vacant lots in residential areas often provide the shortgrass, sparse vegetation that owls prefer. Look for them perching on posts or peering from burrows.
Agricultural areas
Farmland areas throughout central and southern Arizona offer patchy and open habitat that attracts burrowing owls. Look for them along uncultivated edges of agricultural fields or utilizing culverts and pipes for nesting and roosting in rural areas. Some prime agricultural regions include Willcox, Maricopa, and Yuma.
Best times of day to see burrowing owls
As diurnal owls, burrowing owls are most active and easiest to spot during daylight hours, especially:
- Early morning around sunrise
- Late afternoon leading up to sunset
During these times, burrowing owls are busiest hunting, patrolling their territory, and standing watch outside their burrows. Mid-day when the desert heat peaks is the most challenging time to spot them as they stay sheltered underground.
Best seasons to see burrowing owls
The population of burrowing owls in Arizona fluctuates throughout the year with the seasons as some migrate and others remain residents year-round. The best months to increase your chances of sighting burrowing owls include:
- October – February: Owls arrive from northern breeding grounds to overwinter in Arizona, joining the resident population.
- April – July: Nesting and breeding season make for high owl activity as they care for eggs and young owls.
- August – September: Fledglings from the summer broods become active outside the burrows and easier to spot while improving their flying and hunting skills.
The summer monsoon season can decrease burrowing owl activity as heavy rainfall and lightning strikes take their toll on the vulnerable owls.
How to observe burrowing owls responsibly
When trying to spot burrowing owls, it’s important to be aware of responsible observation practices to not disturb or stress the owls. Helpful tips include:
- Keep appropriate distance and use binoculars or spotting scopes for observing from afar.
- Limit disturbance and noise levels near active burrows.
- Do not approach or hover directly over occupied burrows.
- Be extremely cautious of owls near roads, only observe from inside your parked vehicle.
- Pay attention to owl behavior and signs of agitation like alarm calls.
- Never handle young owls or force contact.
- Avoid prolonged focus on one burrow so you don’t exclude other owls from entrance/exit.
- Educate others to promote responsible enjoyment and minimize disturbance.
Following a few simple guidelines helps protect both the observer and burrowing owls being viewed.
Threats facing burrowing owls
Several factors contribute to burrowing owl population declines across portions of their range:
- Habitat loss – Development, urbanization, and conversion of native grasslands eliminate the open landscapes owls require.
- Control of burrowing mammals – Reduction in prairie dogs and ground squirrels from poisoning and shooting removes owl burrow sources.
- Predators – Badgers, coyotes, and snakes raid burrowing owl nests, killing adults, eggs, and young.
- Vehicles – Collisions while crossing roads exact a heavy toll.
- Pesticides – Chemicals weaken owl health and reduce insect prey numbers.
- Human interference – Disruption near nests causes nest abandonment and mortality.
Targeted conservation programs are needed to protect essential owl habitat and offset increasing threats.
Conservation efforts and legal protections
While burrowing owls face concerning population declines in portions of their range, some conservation efforts aim to protect them:
- The Western Burrowing Owl Conservation Network facilitates coordination of monitoring, research, and management strategies between government agencies, tribes, industry, and other groups involved in owl conservation.
- Placement of artificial nest burrows to provide safe nesting sites has been implemented in some regions where burrows are limited.
- Installation of reflectors along roads, signing, and underpasses helps reduce vehicle collisions in high traffic areas.
- Legal protections include:
- Migratory Bird Treaty Act – prohibits harming or harassing burrowing owls as a native North American migratory bird species.
- State endangered species laws – burrowing owls are listed as endangered, threatened, or a species of concern in some U.S. states including California, Colorado, and Minnesota.
However, more substantial efforts to preserve suitable habitat and limit threats will be needed to ensure sustainable burrowing owl populations.
Fun facts about burrowing owls
Beyond their unique appearance and behaviors, burrowing owls have some other interesting traits:
- They can reproduce at only one year old, early for an owl species.
- Burrowing owls have a wider range of vocalizations than other owls – including chuckles, chirps, and screams – with separate calls to attract mates and warn of threats.
- The owls maintain monogamous breeding pair bonds that can last multiple seasons.
- Young owls practice their flying skills by repeatedly hopping up about 3 feet in the air and back down, termed “popcorning.”
- Their genus name Athene comes from the Greek goddess of wisdom, fitting for an intelligent owl.
- Burrowing owls have good vision during the day, but also increased sensitivity in low light compared to diurnal birds of prey.
- They keep their burrows clean by kicking out solid waste, prey remains, and debris – making owl “housekeeping.”
Conclusion
Burrowing owls offer a unique way to view wild owl behavior, since they are active during daylight hours. With a little knowledge about where to look, you stand a good chance of spotting them around their burrows in Arizona’s grasslands, agricultural areas, and even cities. Follow proper viewing etiquette to respect the owls while enjoying observing their charismatic antics and unique adaptations to desert life in the American Southwest.
