Rare Species Guide

  Synonyms

Speotyto cunicularia

  Basis for Listing

The Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) nests in grasslands in the western half of the United States and the southern Canadian Prairie Provinces, as well as in Florida, The Bahamas, Hispaniola, Mexico, and South America.

It is unclear if Burrowing Owls were present in Minnesota prior to the mid-1800s; however, by the 1930s this species nested throughout much of the prairie region (Roberts 1932). The intensification of agriculture, beginning in the mid- 1900s, resulted in the loss of most of Minnesota’s native prairie vegetation, Burrowing Owl populations declined drastically and the species is now all but extirpated in the state.

Only 10 breeding records were recorded in Minnesota from 1965 to 1985 (Martell 1990) and the Burrowing Owl was subsequently classified as a state endangered species in 1984. The loss of pastures and prairies in the western part of the state (Prairie Parkland Province) is obviously a factor in the decline of this species; however, there still seems to be suitable habitat available that remains unused or is only intermittently occupied. Elsewhere in its U.S. range, declining populations of American Badgers (Taxidea taxus), prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.), and ground squirrels, in whose burrows the owls often live, as well as the use of pesticides, have been suggested as factors that may have contributed to Burrowing Owl declines.

Although Burrowing Owls are no longer a regularly occurring species in Minnesota, they are observed in the state once every few years and have nested on rare occasion (most recently in 2007). They remain listed as endangered in Minnesota.

  Description

The Burrowing Owl is a small, 23-29 cm (9-11 in.) tall, light brown owl whose most distinctive features include its long legs, short tail, and lack of ear tufts. It is most often seen perched on the ground or atop a small, raised mound or fencepost. The species bobs up and down when agitated and will usually dive into its burrow rather than take flight when approached too closely.

  Habitat

Burrowing Owls select open, grazed pastures or native, mixed-grass prairies populated by burrowing mammals. In Minnesota, American badgers and Richardson's Ground Squirrels (Urocitellus richardsonii) are thought to be the primary nest excavators. In much of the Burrowing Owl's range in the western United States, prairie dog (Cynomys spp.) towns are commonly occupied as breeding areas. Areas of intensive agricultural use are usually avoided.

  Biology / Life History

Little is known about the migratory habits of the Burrowing Owl, but the northern population segment is believed to overwinter in Texas. Burrowing Owls in the Florida population may excavate their own burrows, but everywhere else they use abandoned burrows of small mammals, which may require enlargement by badgers before becoming suitable for Burrowing Owl inhabitation (Poulin et al. 2020). Clutches average about 6-8 eggs. The female incubates the eggs and remains in the nesting burrow with the owlets for up to two weeks after hatching. During this time, the male hunts and brings food to the female, who tears it up and feeds it to the young. Owlets leave the nest after about 44 days. They learn to hunt by observing their parents and practicing prey capture on small objects, injured insects, and siblings. Burrowing Owls may form loose colonies, with several pairs nesting in the same burrow system. Home ranges for most individuals are less than 100 ha (247 ac.). Burrowing Owls are opportunistic feeders and will eat whatever prey they can catch. This includes mainly arthropods, but small mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles may also be eaten. Burrowing Owls hunt by hopping along the ground or observing from a perch, primarily at dawn and dusk (Poulin et al. 2020).

  Conservation / Management

Preservation of short-grass habitat, particularly large pastures with Richardson's Ground Squirrel colonies, is important. Grazing or burning may be necessary to maintain the suitability of this habitat for the Burrowing Owl (Poulin et al. 2020). Sites where owls have nested in the recent past should be monitored for breeding activity.  A 600-m (656 yd.) radius around nest burrows, if found, should be protected from pesticide application (Haug and Oliphant 1990). Many Burrowing Owls are killed on roads, as they often sit on fence posts or on the roads themselves while hunting. Installation of perches for hunting and watching for predators  may help reduce road-kills (Poulin et al. 2020). In the past, posters, mailings, and other media have been successful in obtaining information about Burrowing Owls and could be employed at regular intervals in the future. It is important to educate landowners to ensure their cooperation in conserving Burrowing Owls and their habitat.

  Conservation Efforts in Minnesota

A reintroduction effort began in Minnesota in 1985, with the release of four captive-bred Burrowing Owls in Rock County. In 1986, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Nongame Wildlife Program, The Raptor Center, and the University of Minnesota joined forces to develop survey and management strategies for recovery of the Burrowing Owl (Martell 1990). Between 1986 and 1990, 105 juvenile Burrowing Owls were released (Martell 1990). However, none of the released birds have been sighted in subsequent years and no band returns have been received. Due to the lack of success, further large-scale reintroductions cannot be justified (Martell 1990).

During breeding season bird surveys from 1988-2022, the Minnesota Biological Survey conducted surveys throughout Minnesota’s prairie region, and no Burrowing Owls were detected (though there were scattered reports by others during that time frame). One record of “Probable” breeding was documented in 2010 in Polk County during the Minnesota Breeding Bird Atlas (Pfannmuller et al. 2017).

The most important conservation action that can be taken for Burrowing Owls in Minnesota is the continued conservation, preservation, restoration, and habitat management (including grazing) of grasslands in the prairie region. Conservation of Richardson’s Ground Squirrel colonies should be another high priority.

  Authors/Revisions

Steven P. Stucker (MNDNR), 2026

(Note: all content ©MNDNR)

  References and Additional Information

Haug, E. A., and L. W. Oliphant. 1990. Movements, activity patterns, and habitat use of Burrowing Owls in Saskatchewan. Journal of Wildlife Management 54:27-35.

Martell, M. S. 1990. Reintroduction of Burrowing Owls into Minnesota: a feasibility study. M.S. Thesis, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota. 95 pp.