Burrowing owls are successfully raising broods in eastern Idaho, according to field observations by wildlife reporter Bill Schiess. Monitoring three active nests, Schiess confirmed the emergence of owlets in early June, noting distinct developmental gaps between siblings and complex survival behaviors, such as the use of alarm calls to evade northern harriers and the strategic use of cow dung to attract prey.
How Do Burrowing Owls Select and Maintain Their Nests?
Burrowing owls rarely dig their own homes from scratch. Instead, they rely on existing infrastructure created by ground squirrels, according to observations by Bill Schiess. These sites are often enlarged by badgers hunting hibernating squirrels during the winter months. This reliance on pre-existing burrows creates a precarious relationship with the landscape; while the abandoned squirrel tunnels provide immediate shelter, the return of a badger to the same site can lead to the destruction of the nest and the loss of the brood.
Pro Tip: If you are scouting for burrowing owls, keep a distance of 50 to 100 yards. This allows the birds to grow accustomed to your vehicle, which acts as a mobile blind and prevents the owls from feeling threatened.
Why Do Owls Store Food and Use Cow Dung in Burrows?
Survival strategies for these raptors are highly specialized. Research cited by Schiess indicates that parents may store up to 200 rodents in a single burrow to ensure a consistent food supply for hatchlings. Beyond storing carcasses, the owls exhibit a unique behavior: they line the entrance and interior of their burrows with cow dung. This organic material serves as a bait station, attracting beetles and flies that provide a supplementary food source for the growing owlets.
What Are the Developmental Stages of Owlets?
Owlet development is visible in the staggered emergence of siblings. In one observed nest of six, three older owlets began venturing out of the burrow in early June, while three younger siblings remained inside, visible only by the tops of their heads. According to Schiess, the older owlets appear to be approximately 10 days ahead of their siblings in development. These older birds have begun stretching their wings and bobbing their heads, behaviors that precede the onset of flight.
Did You Know?
Burrowing owls are diurnal hunters but are sensitive to temperature. While they are active during the day, they typically wait for the sun to warm the air before emerging from the burrow. When danger, such as a northern harrier, is detected, the adults emit alarm calls that trigger an immediate, instinctive retreat for the owlets.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many eggs do burrowing owls typically lay?
A single female may incubate up to a dozen eggs, according to field reports from the region.
Why do owls abandon their burrows?
The primary threat to an active nest is the return of predators, specifically badgers, which dig out the tunnels to reach hibernating squirrels and frequently destroy owl nests in the process.
What is the best way to observe nesting owls without disturbing them?
Maintain a distance of 50 to 100 yards and use a vehicle as a blind. Avoid approaching on foot, as this causes the owls to perceive you as a threat.
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