How to Identify a Burrowing Owl Burrow

Burrowing owls are adorable and entertaining birds. Unfortunately their homes are often threatened by developing areas and urban sprawl. Being able to identify a burrowing owl burrow can help make sure the animals are left in safety.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Note the location of the burrow. Burrowing owls enjoy living in open, grassy areas like meadows, pastures, and along side roadways.

2. Determine whether the burrow is near a fence post or other vertical object. It is believed that these owls burrow near fence and sign posts to prevent other large birds of prey from swooping down on them.

3. Observe the shape of the entrance. Burrowing owls will round out the openings of burrows even if the burrow once belonged to another animal like a sand tortoise.

4. Examine the area outside the entrance. Burrowing owl burrows will often have mounds of sand outside the burrow from the interior renovations that they have done. Also, the ground will be littered with feathers, dead insects, small animal bones, and droppings. Burrows that contain eggs will be decorated with bright, shiny objects.

5. Determine the size of the burrow entrance. The entrance hole of a burrowing owl will be about 3.5 to 5 inches wide.

Tips & Warnings

• Never approach a burrow that you are uncertain about. You never know who lives in that hole.