| Okay if you made it here you must know by now that burrowing owls are endangered. But do you know the stats? |
| In the late 1970s there were still around 2100 breeding pairs but by 1987 the population was less than half the original, with only 700 pairs left. Just this year they were moved from threatened species to an endangered species. |
| Unlike many other types of owls, these ones are active during the day. They also live in burrows underground. They like to eat insects. |
| To get a burrow they take over an abandoned burrow made by a badger, gopher, or fox. |
| Appearance:They look like short fat owls wearing stilts. often they will stand up tall to see over the prairies where they live. |
| Food: They mostly eat insects, but sometimes eat rodents, toads, small birds, and dead animals. |
Breeding: Their courtship displays include:
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Risks to the owls: Development and cultivation have greatly decreased the owls habitat. Burrowing owls need open areas with plenty of ground cover, existing burrows, and lots of food. These are all scarce in the prairies. Owls rely on burrowing owls to make nests, and most of these animals are being extirminated as pests. Burrowing owls are also killed as a result of poisons and pesticides from the insects they eat. |
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Things being done: Alberta Environmental Protection's wildlife management division hopes to increase the nomber of breeding pairs to 1000.
As well as that, in known owl breeding areas, farmers have agreed not to cultivate more than 50 000 acres of grassland. In the four western provinces, it is illegal to disturb nesting owls. |
| Page one. | The title page is located here. |
| Page 3 | This is the link page of ME |
| The Wezt page of photos | This page has the pictures of burrowing owls, among other things. |
| Page of info #1 | This is this page so don't click on the link or ELSE |
| More info | This page completes this fine set of web pages. |
