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Burrowing Owl

Athene cunicularia

Bird · family Strigidae · order Strigiformes

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G4: apparently secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Burrowing Owl
Photo: Frank Schulenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Endangered Species Act
Not listed[1]
NatureServe global rank
G4 Apparently Secure[2]
Native in
22 states[3]
Oldest known wild bird
9 years[4]

The Burrowing Owl is a bird in the owl order, in the family Strigidae[5]. It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act, and NatureServe records it as native in 22 US states and territories[1][3].

Conservation status

NatureServe ranks the Burrowing Owl G4 (Apparently Secure) worldwide[2]. In the United States the rank is N4B,N4N, which means Apparently Secure for breeding birds and for nonbreeding birds[6]. The IUCN Red List category is Least concern[7]. It is not listed under the Endangered Species Act[1]. It is on the federal list of migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8]. eBird data indicated a decline of Burrowing Owls in North America between 2012 and 2022[9].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Not listed
NatureServe global rank[2] G4 (Apparently Secure)
NatureServe US rank[6] N4B,N4N (Apparently Secure (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding))
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[7] Least concern
Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8] Protected
CITES (international trade)[10] Appendix II
Total population (NatureServe estimate)[11] >1,000,000 individuals

Where Burrowing Owl lives

NatureServe lists the Burrowing Owl as native in 22 US states and territories, from Washington and California east to Minnesota, Alabama and Florida[3]. Missouri is the one state where NatureServe ranks it as extirpated or possibly extirpated, which means gone or possibly gone from the state[12]. Observation records on GBIF are most plentiful in California, Florida, Texas, Arizona and Colorado, but those counts follow where people look and report, not how many owls live there[13].

Alaska: not recordedAKMaine: not recordedMEWisconsin: not recordedWIVermont: not recordedVTNew Hampshire: not recordedNHWashington: native, state rank S2BWAIdaho: native, state rank S2BIDMontana: native, state rank S3BMTNorth Dakota: native, state rank SUNDMinnesota: native, state rank S1B,SNRMMNIllinois: not recordedILMichigan: not recordedMINew York: not recordedNYMassachusetts: not recordedMAOregon: native, state rank S3BORNevada: native, state rank S3BNVWyoming: native, state rank S3BWYSouth Dakota: native, state rank S3BSDIowa: not recordedIAIndiana: not recordedINOhio: not recordedOHPennsylvania: not recordedPANew Jersey: not recordedNJConnecticut: not recordedCTRhode Island: not recordedRICalifornia: native, state rank S2CAUtah: native, state rank S2UTColorado: native, state rank S4BCONebraska: native, state rank S2NEMissouri: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXMOKentucky: not recordedKYWest Virginia: not recordedWVVirginia: not recordedVAMaryland: not recordedMDDelaware: not recordedDEArizona: native, state rank S3AZNew Mexico: native, state rank S4B,S4NNMKansas: native, state rank S3BKSArkansas: native, state rank S2NARTennessee: not recordedTNNorth Carolina: not recordedNCSouth Carolina: not recordedSCDistrict of Columbia: not recordedDCOklahoma: native, state rank S2OKLouisiana: not recordedLAMississippi: native, state rank SNAMSAlabama: native, state rank S2NALGeorgia: not recordedGAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: native, state rank S3BTXFlorida: native, state rank S3FLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[14].
Show state ranks (23 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlabamaS2NImperiled (nonbreeding)
ArizonaS3Vulnerable
ArkansasS2NImperiled (nonbreeding)
CaliforniaS2Imperiled
ColoradoS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
FloridaS3Vulnerable
IdahoS2BImperiled (breeding)
KansasS3BVulnerable (breeding)
MinnesotaS1B,SNRMCritically Imperiled (breeding), Not Ranked (migrant)
MississippiSNANot Applicable
MissouriSXPresumed Extirpated
MontanaS3BVulnerable (breeding)
NebraskaS2Imperiled
NevadaS3BVulnerable (breeding)
New MexicoS4B,S4NApparently Secure (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
North DakotaSUUnrankable
OklahomaS2Imperiled
OregonS3BVulnerable (breeding)
South DakotaS3BVulnerable (breeding)
TexasS3BVulnerable (breeding)
UtahS2Imperiled
WashingtonS2BImperiled (breeding)
WyomingS3BVulnerable (breeding)

Habitat

NatureServe records savanna, grassland and desert as habitat types[15]. The owl uses many kinds of grassland and also sand dunes[16]. During breeding it typically avoids shrub and tree cover[16]. In Texas in the non-breeding season, birds tended to rest by day in shrubby spots with low grassland close by[16].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[15]

Size, diet and lifespan

The Burrowing Owl eats mostly animal prey and some plant matter[17]. Insects make up over 75% of the food items, while mammals are fewer items but most of the food weight[17]. Adults are about 24 cm (9 in) long[18]. They weigh about 159 g[19]. A typical clutch averages 6 to 7 eggs, and the female incubates them for 27 to 30 days[20]. Young owls run and forage at 4 weeks and fly steadily at 6 weeks[20]. The longest recorded lifespan in the wild is 11 years[21].

Trait Value
Typical length[18] 24 cm (9 in)
Typical adult weight[19] 159 g (5.6 oz)
Longest recorded lifespan (AnAge)[21] 11 years (wild)
Oldest known wild bird (banding)[4] 9 years 11 months
Litter or clutch size[22] 8
Gestation or incubation[23] 28 days
Female maturity[24] 365 days (about 1.0 years)
Food habits[25] Carnivore, Invertivore
Migration[26] non-migrant, local migrant, long-distance migrant

Estimated diet composition (EltonTraits 1.0)[27]

  • 70% warm-blooded vertebrates
  • 20% invertebrates
  • 10% reptiles and amphibians

When to look for it

In winter in the north the owl is mostly active at night, and in summer it is active by day and around dawn and dusk (the word for that is crepuscular)[28]. In Florida and the southern part of the winter range it can usually be seen in the daytime[28]. Populations in the US, except Florida and southeastern California, migrate during the non-breeding season, from September to March[29]. GBIF records are most numerous in January, April and May, which shows when people report the bird, not how many there are[30].

January: 19,958 recordsJanFebruary: 15,847 recordsFebMarch: 15,607 recordsMarApril: 20,701 recordsAprMay: 22,881 recordsMayJune: 18,772 recordsJunJuly: 14,243 recordsJulAugust: 11,262 recordsAugSeptember: 9,284 recordsSepOctober: 9,490 recordsOctNovember: 11,455 recordsNovDecember: 13,557 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[30].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January19,958
February15,847
March15,607
April20,701
May22,881
June18,772
July14,243
August11,262
September9,284
October9,490
November11,455
December13,557

Where to see it

National Park Service species lists record Burrowing Owl as present in 57 park units[31]. Present means the park has a confirmed record, not that sightings are common.

And 33 more park units.

States with the most GBIF observation records: California, Florida, Texas, Arizona, Colorado[13]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Questions people ask

Is the Burrowing Owl endangered?
It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. NatureServe ranks it G4 (Apparently Secure) worldwide, though eBird data showed a decline in North America from 2012 to 2022[2][9].
Where does the Burrowing Owl live?
NatureServe lists it as native in 22 US states and territories, including California, Texas, Florida and Colorado[3]. It likes grassland, savanna and desert[15].
What does the Burrowing Owl eat?
It is a generalist carnivore that also eats some plant matter[17]. Insects make up over 75% of its food items[17].
How big is a Burrowing Owl?
NatureServe records a typical length of 24 cm (9 in)[18]. It records a typical adult weight of 159 g[19].
How long does a Burrowing Owl live?
The longest recorded lifespan in the wild is 11 years[21]. The oldest known banded wild bird was at least 9 years 11 months old[4].

Facts and sources

  1. Burrowing Owl is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Burrowing Owl: G4 (Apparently Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists Burrowing Owl as native in 22 US states and territories: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South... NatureServe Explorer
  4. Oldest known wild Burrowing Owl from US and Canadian bird banding records: at least 9 years 11 months old (USGS Bird Banding Laboratory). USGS Bird Banding Lab
  5. Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) is a bird in the family Strigidae, order Strigiformes. NatureServe Explorer
  6. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N4B,N4N (Apparently Secure (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)). NatureServe Explorer
  7. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Least concern. NatureServe Explorer
  8. Burrowing Owl is on the federal list of migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (50 CFR 10.13). eCFR, 50 CFR 10.13
  9. NatureServe notes on trend for Burrowing Owl. NatureServe Explorer
  10. CITES listing recorded by NatureServe: Appendix II (controls on international trade). NatureServe Explorer
  11. NatureServe estimate of total adult population (global, as a range): >1,000,000 individuals. NatureServe Explorer
  12. NatureServe ranks Burrowing Owl as extirpated or possibly extirpated (SX or SH) in: Missouri. NatureServe Explorer
  13. US states with the most GBIF observation records of Burrowing Owl: California, Florida, Texas, Arizona, Colorado. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF
  14. NatureServe state ranks for Burrowing Owl (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  15. Habitat types NatureServe records for Burrowing Owl: Savanna, Grassland/herbaceous, Desert. NatureServe Explorer
  16. NatureServe notes on habitat for Burrowing Owl. NatureServe Explorer
  17. NatureServe notes on food for Burrowing Owl. NatureServe Explorer
  18. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 24 cm (9 in). NatureServe Explorer
  19. Typical adult weight recorded by NatureServe: 159 g (5.6 oz). NatureServe Explorer
  20. NatureServe notes on reproduction for Burrowing Owl. NatureServe Explorer
  21. Maximum recorded lifespan in AnAge: 11 years in the wild. This is a record, not a typical lifespan. AnAge
  22. Typical litter or clutch size in AnAge: 8. AnAge
  23. Gestation or incubation period in AnAge: 28 days. AnAge
  24. Age at female sexual maturity in AnAge: 365 days (about 1.0 years). AnAge
  25. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Carnivore, Invertivore. NatureServe Explorer
  26. NatureServe migration category for Burrowing Owl: non-migrant, local migrant, long-distance migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  27. Estimated diet composition in EltonTraits 1.0: 70% warm-blooded vertebrates, 20% invertebrates, 10% reptiles and amphibians. EltonTraits 1.0
  28. NatureServe notes on phenology for Burrowing Owl. NatureServe Explorer
  29. NatureServe notes on migration for Burrowing Owl. NatureServe Explorer
  30. GBIF observation records of Burrowing Owl in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF
  31. NPSpecies park lists recording Burrowing Owl as present (list on this page). NPS NPSpecies

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.

Photo: Frank Schulenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.