The Burrowing Owl {Speotyto cunicularia hypogaea) 



By R. L. Baird 



Length: 9 inches. 



The Burrowing Owl is a denizen of the prairies and plains west of the Missis- 

 sippi and the Missouri rivers. It is found from localities somewhat north of the 

 United States as far to the southward as Guatemala. In some parts of this large 

 area it is exceedingly common, and it is the only representative of the owl tribe 

 that inhabits, in any numbers at least, the treeless regions of the western states. 



Unlike other species of owls, the Burrowing Owl is especially fitted for a 

 subterranean mode of life. It will make its home in the burrows of the various 

 animals that inhabit the prairie regions. These birds are social and live in colonies 

 consisting of several pairs. Some Indians have claimed that it retires into its 

 burrow at the approach of winter, and there remains in a torpid condition during 

 the cold weather. Careful observers have, however, shown that this is not the 

 case. It may be said that, except in the northern part of its range, where the 

 winters are severe, it is resident wherever found and not migratory. It is probable 

 that it would not be migratory at all were it not that the animals upon which it 

 feeds are not obtainable in severe weather. Investigation has proved that the 

 stories of the confidential relations existing between the Burrowing Owl, the 

 prairie dog and the rattlesnake are pure fabrications of an imaginative mind, 

 greatly strengthened by additions as they are passed from person to person. The 

 only foundation for these stories is the fact that this Owl and also the rattle- 

 snake do occasionally enter the burrows of the prairie dog. Dr. Coues has said 

 "that the Owls live at ease in the settlements and on familiar terms with their 

 four-footed neighbors is an undoubted fact; but that they inhabit the same bur- 

 rows or have any intimate domestic relations is quite another thing. It is no 

 proof that the quadrupeds and the birds live together that they are often seen to 

 scuttle at each other's heels into the same hole when alarmed, for in such a case 

 the two simply seek the nearest shelter independently of each other." It is not 

 at all strange that the snakes should also enter these holes. It may be that they 

 do so for the want of some other retreat on a broad expanse of prairie, but it is 

 much more probable that they are in search of food, either in the form of young 

 dogs or the eggs of the Owl. Though the Burrowing Owls are found with the 

 burrowing mammals, they do not occupy the same holes with, them and do with- 

 out doubt drive them out if they wish to pre-empt the burrows for their own use. 



Though the Burrowing Owl probably obtains most of its food in the early 

 twilight, it is frequently "'in motion on the brightest days, capturing its prey or 

 evading its pursuer with the greatest ease." Like the sparrowhawk, it frequently 

 hovers in the air and drops upon its prey. Its food consists of the smaller rodents, 

 including the young of the prairie dog, frogs, fish, lizards, snakes and insects of 

 various kinds. In fact, its food is so varied and consists of noxious animals to 



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