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The '''burrowing owl''' (''Athene cunicularia'') is a species of [[owl]] of the genus ''Athena'', and named for its habit of living in holes in the ground.  It is found in the grasslands of North and South America as far south as Cape Horn, as well as isolated populations in Florida and some Caribbean islands.

The '''burrowing owl''' (''Athene cunicularia'') is a species of [[owl]] of the genus ''Athene'', and named for its habit of living in holes in the ground.  It is found in the grasslands of North and South America as far south as Cape Horn, as well as isolated populations in Florida and some Caribbean islands.

==Description==

==Description==

The burrowing owl reaches a body size of 7.5 to 11.0 inches, a wingspan of 20 to 24 inches, and weighs approximately 4.9 to 8.5 ounces, with the largest subspecies found in the Andes mountains.  Overall, the bird is brown in color with a vigorous white spotting and banding, but with strong color variances among the subspecies, with the birds of South America, Florida and Haiti dark to chocolate brown; the birds of the desert tan to sandy yellow; and within forested areas pale brown with orange spots.

The burrowing owl reaches a body size of 7.5 to 11.0 inches, a wingspan of 20 to 24 inches, and weighs approximately 4.9 to 8.5 ounces, with the largest subspecies found in the Andes mountains.  Overall, the bird is brown in color with a vigorous white spotting and banding, yellow eyes under prominent white brows, and long legs for its size. Strong color variances exist among the subspecies, with the birds of South America, Florida and Haiti dark to chocolate brown; the birds of the desert tan to sandy yellow; and birds near forested areas pale brown with orange spots.

===Subspecies===

===Subspecies===

The first description of the rabbit was from Juan Ignacio Molina in 1782, and for a time it was considered to be a single species within the genus ''Speotyto'' until a few years ago.  Twenty-two subspecies have been described, which differ primarily in their coloration:

The first description of the owl was from the Spanish Jesuit and naturalist Juan Ignacio Molina in 1782, and for a time it was considered to be a single species within the genus ''Speotyto'' until a few years ago.  Twenty-two subspecies have been described, which differ primarily in their coloration:

*''Athene cunicularia amaura''; Nevis and Antigua, West Indies (extinct)

*''Athene cunicularia amaura''; Nevis and Antigua, West Indies (extinct)

*''Athene cunicularia apurensis''; northcentral Venezuela

*''Athene cunicularia apurensis''; northcentral Venezuela

==Threats==

==Threats==

The overall population of the burrowing owl is currently classified as least concern by the IUCN. However, there are declines in some areas of its range.  Between 1966 and 2000, for example, the breeding stock decreased by an annual average of 1.2 percent, with one of the causes a decline in prairie dog population.  Especially in the Great Plains of the United States, burrowing owls used particularly frequently abandoned ground caves of prairie dogs on the edge of prairie dog colonies, and were simultaneously exposed to a somewhat reduced pressure of predators.<ref>Johnsgard, pg. 74</ref>

The overall population of the burrowing owl is currently classified as least concern by the IUCN. However, there are declines in some areas of its range.  Between 1966 and 2000, for example, the breeding stock decreased by an annual average of 1.2 percent, with one of the causes a decline in prairie dog population.  Especially in the Great Plains of the United States, burrowing owls used particularly frequently abandoned prairie dog burrows on the edge of prairie dog colonies, and were simultaneously exposed to a somewhat reduced pressure of predators.<ref>Johnsgard, pg. 74</ref>

==References==

==References==

*Johnsgard, Paul A. ''Great Wildlife of the Great Plains''; University Press of Kansas, 2003

*Johnsgard, Paul A. ''Great Wildlife of the Great Plains''; University Press of Kansas, 2003

[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Birds of Prey]][[Category:Owls]]

[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Birds of Prey]][[Category:Owls]][[Category:Athene Owls]]