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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.
.
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. |