|
|
|
Image Credit: sketch of Burrowing Owl in The  Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia
The Burrowing Owl is different from other owls with its long legs
that look like stilts. This owl has yellow eyes, white eyebrows
and tufts on its ears. Markings on the feathers camouflage the
owl. This camouflage helps the owl hide in grassy meadows so it
can catch insects, birds, reptiles, amphibians and rodents.
This type of owl does not make a nest in a tree. In grassland
and sagebrush areas, it lives in burrows made by badgers, skunks
and ground squirrels. The female owl lays her eggs deep inside
the burrows, but they are not always safe there. Often other animals,
such as weasels, skunks and snakes, eat these eggs. If the mother
owl can keep her eggs safe, the eggs hatch and within two weeks,
the owlets are able to fly.
The Burrowing Owl is endangered. A few are still found between
Kamloops and Osoyoos. They are endangered because habitat where
they live is being used for farming or new homes. In some of the
grasslands, badgers and ground squirrels are being shot by people
who consider the holes damaging for their cattle. These owls also
get caught in fences, hit power lines and get killed on highways.
Burrowing owls needs burrows and grasslands or sagebrush in order
to survive.
this section sponsored by:
|
|
Located at: 
|
All rights reserved
|
Industry Canada
