Burrowing Owl—continued Species Status The Florida Burrowing Owl is a "species of spe- cial concern" established by the Florida Fish and Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission. It was assigned Nesting and Incubation this designation in 1979 and is protected under the Burrowing Owl Mating and courtship generally occurs between Commission's rules, Chapter 39 of the Florida Ad- February and July when a clutch of two to six ministrative Code. It is also protected under the eggs is laid. However, egg-laying may occur as federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Florida Burrow- early as October and as late as May. The eggs ing Owls, unlike their western counterparts, are are incubated by the female for 28 to 30 days. nonmigratory. Each egg is almost round and about the size of a BREVARD COUNTY NATURAL quarter. In rare cases two clutches of eggs are Threats RESOURCES MANAGEMENT produced in a year. The Burrowing Owl is subject to increased mortality OFFICE resulting from vehicle collisions, predation by do- Young mestic animals, and human harassment. In addition, The young owlets are raised and fed by the fe- real estate development pressures have reduced male. Males gather and present the female with favorable habitat significantly. Man-made burrows food for the young. Young owls emerge from are becoming common in urban areas that histori- the burrow at approximately two weeks of age. cally have owls. In several studies involving man- At four weeks, they are able to take short made structures; eggs per nest, and overall hatching flights and can fly well at six weeks of age. Fledg- success is lower. ing occurs about 42-45 days after hatching. Young birds remain with their parents until they What you can DO are twelve weeks old. Of several subspecies of Report any sightings to the Brevard County Natural Burrowing Owls, the Florida subspecies repro- Resources Management Office. Observations duces the slowest resulting in slower replace- should include: ment of owls killed or injured within the popu- lation. · number of birds

Food Items · activity Burrowing owls prey on · date insects and small verte- · locations of possible burrows brates. Beetles, grasshop- pers and crickets are im- · any leg bands seen portant food items. Other items include crabs, cray- Nearest landmarks or roads are very helpful. Photograph courtesy of Tom Uhlman Photography fish, frogs, toads, lizards, brown anoles, snakes, ro- Photo courtesy of Tom Ullman Mission: "To protect the quality dents and various species Photography of birds. Foraging for prey involves low short of life and promote a sustainable flights and, occasionally, momentary hovering. future by managing and conserving These owls have been seen foraging on road- killed animals and on small migratory birds that the natural resources of Brevard have hit building windows or automobiles. County." Report any owls you may see in Florida Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia floridana) Brevard County!

Identifying Burrowing Owls During the breeding season, males appear to be · Field or cattle pasture-based burrow lighter in color than females. The lighter feather entrances might have feathers, cow The Burrowing Owl is a small owl, measuring color in males may be due to bleaching by the manure, insect parts, small bones, or approximately nine inches in length (just larger sun while guarding the burrow entrance. shiny objects near the mouth than this brochure) with a wingspread reaching 22 inches across. The owl weighs an average of Where to find them · Owls will be standing guard at burrow 150 grams, or about 5 ounces. The Burrowing entrance Owl is the only North American owl species in Burrowing Owls, like which males are larger than females. Identifying · Culvert and drain pipes are some- characteristics are: Caracara, and times used for a burrow or roosting Bald Eagles, · Round head exhibit ex- · Urban nesting owls surround burrow tremely high opening with pet feces, palm fronds, · Small size (9”) nest site fidel- tin foil, shredded paper, or shells. ity (uses same · No ear tufts Nesting Colonies nest or site). · Bill is yellow or green- Any open Florida Burrowing Owl colonies are Photograph courtesy of Pam Bowen ish-yellow field with loosely organized with burrows located short grass and few trees, such as wet and dry about 30 yards apart. The entrance is · Yellow eyes (irises) Identifiable features in- prairie, cemeteries, airports, ball parks, golf circular and is approximately 5.0 inches most common; but clude yellow eyes, no ear tufts, and a white throat courses, open fields, and cleared vacant lots are high and 3.5 inches wide. The tunnel is 6- chocolate, or olive and mustache. Photo favorable habitat in Brevard County. Most known credit, Tom Ullman. 8 feet in length and may make several irises have also been burrows are located west of I-95 between the St. turns before rising at an angle into the documented. Johns River and the interstate. nest cavity. The nest cavity is 12 to 18 inches in diameter and may be six inches · Adult plumage is brown with white bars How you can see them to three feet below the ground. Burrows and stripes on the back and beige with are used year-round. brown bars and stripes on the front While most owls are only active at dark (nocturnal), Burrowing Owls are primarily active · White feathers noticeable: during daytime hours (diurnal) with some night- BREVARD COUNTY NATURAL along the brow (eyebrows) time activity. The best time to observe these RESOURCES MANAGEMENT OFFICE under the eyes (moustache) owls is dawn-to-10am and from 4pm- to-dusk 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way across the throat (collar) each day. Building A, Suite 219 Viera, FL 32940

· Legs are long, dark, and unfeathered · Check fence posts and fencelines for perch- Phone: 321-633-2016 ext. 2418 ing birds Fax: 321-633-2029 [email protected]