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			British Columbia Outdoor Wilderness Guide             
                 
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                        Burrowing Owl
 Speotyto cunicularia
 
                       
  
                        
  Description 
                        - This robin-sized nocturnal owl is short tailed and 
                        long-legged. The adult is boldly spotted and barred; the 
                        face is framed with white and has a blackish collar. The 
                        eyes are yellow and they have no ear tufts. The voice 
                        is a liquid cackling or a mellow "coo-coooo" which is 
                        repeated twice.  
                         
                        Distribution - The burrowing owl breeds from Canada's 
                        prairie provinces south throughout western America. They 
                        winter in the southwestern states. They inhabit deserts, 
                        plains, fields and airports.   
                         Biology - This owl feeds on rodents, birds, reptiles, 
                        fish and large insects. Although capable of digging its 
                        own burrow, it usually will claim one abandoned by a prairie 
                        dog or pocket gopher. After lining it with grasses, roots 
                        and dung it will lay 5-7 white eggs there.  |  |