We drove around this area south of Phoenix and checked out several fields where the little guys were living.
We have burrowing owls at Liberty, all named after Hobbits. They are adorable.
This is Frodo
This is me with Frodo last year ( I look terrible so just look at him)
Most of you don't live anywhere near burrowing owls; they are found out here in the western US and up into Canada and down to Mexico. They are also in Florida.
They live in burrows normally around agricultural areas. They do not dig their own burrows but use old ones made by rabbits or ground squirrels or prairie dogs. They also will use holes made by erosion, drainage pipes, and culverts.
A Pair living right next to an intersection in a pipe
They are small, about 8 inches tall. They eat mostly insects but will eat small rodents, lizards and scorpions. Yeah!
They start nesting in March and have about 5-7 babies hatch. Hatchlings make a noise that sounds like the rattle of a rattlesnake. Pretty genius design I think. It takes about 40 days for the juveniles to leave the nest for good.
Melanie releasing an owl she rescued
They are a lot like prairie dogs. They often live in colonies and "bark" when there is danger. They pop their heads out just enough to see whats happening.
They are preyed on by many things. Coyotes can dig up a burrow, hawks circle around during the day and large owls swoop by at night. They are most active at dawn and dusk. This behavior is called crepuscular. Cool I just taught you a new word.
They are not endangered but are on a watch list. With increased growth around their habitat they are being pushed out. Most of their burrows are being destroyed to build homes and roads.
They are one of the many raptors protected under the migratory bird act. Which is good cause they are cute enough to want to stick one in your pocket.
-Nina
1 comment:
awww....Frodo is so damn cute!! :)
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