The Florida burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) gets its name because it lives in holes burrowed into the ground. It usually nests in the old burrows of ground squirrels, badgers, or other small mammals, although it may dig its own burrow in soft soil. It lines its nest chamber with pellets, feathers, grass, excrement and other debris but sometimes leaves it unlined. The burrowing owl is only about 9 inches tall, has very long legs, a short tail, weighs about 4 ounces and is one of the smallest species of owls. When agitated it bobs its head, bows with a quick bending motion of the legs and makes an alarm call very similar to the sound of a rattlesnake. It then dives very quickly into its burrow if further threatened.
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Burrowing owls are often considered to be diurnal because they frequently perch conspicuously at or near the entrance to their burrows during daylight hours. But they are almost entirely nocturnal, or at least crepuscular (active at twilight and before sunrise), when they prey on insects, lizards, small rodents, frogs and snakes. The owls breed from spring until fall, and the females lay about six to eight eggs. These take a month to hatch, and the young owls will begin to fly and catch food at about 42 days old.
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The owl’s status is listed as a "species of special concern" in several states because its numbers are rapidly declining. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission once estimated the statewide population at between 3,000 and 10,000 pairs. Within the past 20 years, and particularly within the past 5 years, the numbers have declined greatly. The Cape Coral population is now estimated at more than 1,000 pairs. The main threat to the owl’s survival is destruction of its habitat caused by increased residential and commercial development.