In a recent from Nature Saskatchewan, Burrowing Owls which call the prairies home have begun to get settled for another summer. After heading back from their wintering grounds in southern Texas and Mexico, the males have if not already begun to pack their borrowed burrow with food. This little cellar stocked up with mice and other prey is to impress their future mate. 

Burrowing Owls can be identified by their small size a light dark brown mottled plumage with white spots.  

Despite being called Burrowing Owls, they don’t dig their dens. Instead, they borrow from other burrowing mammals such as badgers or gophers that have abandoned the already engineered home. 

These owls are categorized as generalist predators, meaning they catch whatever is small enough for them to get their claws on. 

Females only lay between six and twelve eggs, which might sound like a good amount, but it is believed that these endangered animals only have less than 300 mating pairs. Making each nest important to the survivability of the species 

If you are lucky enough to see a Burrowing Owl, you are asked to call Nature Saskatchewan’s toll-free HOOT Line, 1-800-667- HOOT (4668) or email obo@naturesask.ca.