Burrowing Owl
Athene cunicularia
This owl uses poop as takeaway bait.
Burrowing Owls scatter mammal dung around their burrows. Researchers tested an unglamorous explanation: it attracts dung beetles, which the owls can eat. Their experiment supported that idea. What looks like terrible housekeeping can function as a food-delivery system.
Owl's All-Night Diner
OWL'S ALL-NIGHT DINER
Virtual burrow onlyβleave real owl homes undisturbed.
What's real?
Experiments supported the idea that dung around Burrowing Owl burrows attracts beetle prey. These icons show the idea, not measured insect counts or a guaranteed outcome. Leave real owl homes undisturbed.
A small home is still a home.
Burrowing Owls live close to the ground, where their homes are easy to overlook. Florida wildlife officials describe habitat loss, flooding, disturbance, and vehicle strikes among the pressures on Florida Burrowing Owls, and provide guidance on living alongside them.
Florida's state-threatened listing is regional; it is not the global status of every Burrowing Owl. Leave real burrows and birds undisturbed.
See the fieldwork, meet the researchers, or support bird science.
Learn to live alongside these owls βLinks go directly to conservation organizations.