Burrowing Owls

Burrowing owls are at home in the dry open areas of the desert southwest.  These small long-legged owls nest and roost in underground burrows, often the prior home of prairie dogs or gophers.  Unlike most owls, they are active during daytime hours.  Burrowing owls eat large insects, small rodents (mice), and lizards (geckos).  They may also eat fruits and seeds of prickly pear and cholla cacti.  One sometimes sees an owl standing on a rock or high mound of sand to look for food.  Although not endangered in this area, they are a threatened species.  Observers should be considerate when approaching nests and/or birds, keeping a good distance away.  If nests are in an unsafe area, there are ways for wildlife officials to trap and move the owls to a safer location.  This winter I was successful and got some photos of a nesting pair...