The Burrowing Owl is a small, uncommon, earless owl that inhabits wide-open prairie habitats. It habitually stands erect on the ground or fenceposts where its lightly-feathered and long legs, short tail, and knock-kneed stance, give it a gangly long-legged appearance. Its plumage is an overall dark sandy color, with lighter underparts barred with brown, and profusely spotted with white on the head, back, and wings. It has poorly developed facial disks. In flight its wings are relatively long and narrow, making it appear smaller than when perched. Its eyes have a bright yellow iris.
Size
The Burrowing Owl is the 11th largest owl in North America. Females are slightly larger than males. Lengths average 10 inches (25 centimeters) for females and 9 inches (23 centimeters) for males. Wingspans average about 23 inches (58 centimeters) for females and males. Weights average 7.5 ounces (214 grams) for females and 7.2 ounces (203 grams) for males.
Specific Description
Adult
-refer to above
-earless round head, sandy color, and erect long-legged stance are diagnostic
Similar Species
The Burrowing Owl is difficult to confuse with any other bird. The Short-eared Owl is another owl that perches on the ground and fenceposts in open areas, but it sits horizontally, rather than erect, and has broad wings and obvious facial disks.
Other Names
The Burrowing Owl has also been known as Ground Owl, Prairie Dog Owl, Rattlesnake Owl, Howdy Owl, Cuckoo Owl, Tunnel Owl, Gopher Owl, and Hill Owl.
Etymology
The former scientific name Speotyto cunicularia translates into "cave owl miner" which refers to its habit of nesting and roosting underground. The recent name change in genus Speotyto to Athene translates from Greek mythology to the goddess of wisdom and war. The owl was her favorite bird which was associated from her primitive role as goddess of the night.
Mythology
The Hopis Indians see this owl as their god of the dead, the guardian of fires and tender of all underground things, including seed germination. The Dakota Hidatsa Indians saw the Burrowing Owl as a protective spirit for brave warriors. A Zuni legend tells of how this owl got its speckled plumage: the owls spilled white foam on themselves during a ceremonial dance because they were laughing at a coyote that was trying to join the dance. European pioneers were tricked by this owl's ability to swivel its head and thought it would ring its own neck if a person circled the owl. Contrary to some popular belief, this owl does not have friendly relations with prairie dogs or rattlesnakes.
