Archived Workshops/References
Burrowing Owl
Description
Western burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) are found in open habitat, especially grasslands and prairies, as well as human-altered environments such as urban parks, airports, agricultural areas, and adjacent to residential and commercial areas. They are distributed from southern Canada to northern Mexico and west of the Mississippi to the Pacific coast. This is the only owl that lives and nests underground. Birds most often take over burrows dug by colonial rodents, such as ground squirrels or prairie dogs, or other burrowing species, such as badgers. Their year-round activities center on the burrow. They are active day and night. During the day, birds can be seen standing in or at their burrow, standing on perches near by or hunting nearby prey; by night, birds forage. Burrowing owls eat insects and small rodents, and their diets are well-known to vary based on local availability of prey. Birds lay between 2-12 eggs and typically have one brood a year. In California, nesting begins in February, chicks typically begin to emerge in May, and by October chicks have molted into adult plumage and begin to disperse. Juveniles are mature the next spring. The western burrowing owl is migratory throughout much of its range, although California supports both resident and migratory birds.
Adult plumage is mottled brown and white and birds have lemon yellow eyes. Adults stand approximately 7.5-10 inches (19-25 cm) tall and weigh approximately 5 ounces (150 grams). They have long, nearly unfeathered legs. Burrowing owls are strong flyers, but also are well adapted life on the ground. Adults are not dimorphic, but in the summer males can be distinguished from females based on behavior and lighter plumage color. Since males typically spend significant time in the sun, while female spend more time underground, males are often paler than females. The buffy breasts of young in juvenile plumage are one way to distinguish them from adults.
Burrowing owls are a Species of Special Concern in California. While there are large numbers of birds in some agricultural areas, especially in the Imperial Valley and Central Valley, burrowing owls living in urban settings have seen population declines. Key factors in declines are loss of grassland habitat to urban and agricultural development, habitat degradation, elimination of burrowing mammals, predation, and contaminants.
Training Programs
| Western Burrowing Owl Repeat Workshop - 2013 Field session2 | |
| Western Burrowing Owl Workshop 2013-1 | Aug 30, 2013 |
| Western Burrowing Owl Workshop 2013-1 (Field Session 1) | Aug 30, 2013 |
| Western Burrowing Owl Workshop 2013-1 (Field Session 2) | Aug 31, 2013 |
| Western Burrowing Owl Workshop 2013-2 | Sep 5, 2013 |
| Western Burrowing Owl Workshop 2013-2 (Field Session 1) | Sep 5, 2013 |
| Western Burrowing Owl Workshop 2013-2 (Field Session 2) | Sep 6, 2013 |
| Western Burrowing Owl Workshop 2014 Field Session 1 | Jul 30, 2014 |
| Western Burrowing Owl Workshop 2014 | Jul 30, 2014 |
| Western Burrowing Owl Workshop 2014 Field Session 2 | Jul 31, 2014 |
| Western Burrowing Owl Workshop 2015 | Aug 14, 2015 |
| Western Burrowing Owl Workshop 2016 | Jul 28, 2016 |
| Western Burrowing Owl Workshop 2018 | Jul 19, 2018 |
| Western Burrowing Owl Workshop 2019 | Jul 18, 2019 |
| Western Burrowing Owl Workshop 2022 | Jul 27, 2022 - Jul 29, 2022 |
| Western Burrowing Owl Workshop 2023 | Jul 12, 2023 - Jul 14, 2023 |
Documents and Publications
| TITLE DATE ADDED |
AUTHOR SOURCE |
DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
| WORKSHOP MATERIALS | ||
| Burrowing Owl Bibliography PDF, 372KB Aug 26 13 |
Lynne Trulio Western Burrowing Owl Workshop 2022 July 2022 |
Workshop Bibliography |
| PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS | ||
| A case of leucism in the Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia (Aves: Strigiformes) with confirmation of species identity using cytogenic analysis PDF, 2.7MB Aug 22 14 |
Denise M. Nogueira and Maria Alice S. Alves Zoologia. 28 (1): 53-57 2011 |
Leucism is an inherited disorder, characterized by the lack of pigments in part or all of the body, normal coloration of the eyes and, in birds, in naked parts such as the bill and legs. |
| A comparison of available prey and diet of Florida Burrowing Owls in urban and rural environments: A first study PDF, 88KB Aug 22 14 |
Robert J. Mrykalo, Melissa M. Grigione, and Ronald J. Sarno The Condor, 111 (3):556-559 2009 |
Determining differences in the owl’s ecology between rural and urban/suburban areas can aid in creating effective statewide management strategies for this species. We compared the available prey and diet of Burrowing Owls in a rural and urban environment. |
| A population decline recorded by Operation Burrowing Owl in Saskatchewan PDF, 788KB Aug 22 14 |
Margaret A. Skeel, Jeff Keith, and Carla S. Palaschuk Journal of Raptor Research, 35 (4): 371-377 2001 |
After correctingfor non-responding members each year, the annual census indicated a 95% decline in estimated number of pairs over 13 yr from 1988 (1032pairs) to 2000 (56 pairs); this represents an average decline of 21.5% per year. |
| A sightability model for correcting visibility and availability biases in standardized surveys of breeding Burrowing Owls in Southwest agroecosystem environments PDF, 190KB Aug 22 14 |
Jeffrey A. Manning and Edward O. Garton The Journal of Wildlife Management, 76(1): 65-74 2012 |
We conducted visibility trials and developed logistic regression models to identify and correct for visibility bias associated with single, vehicle-based, visual survey occasions of breeding male owls during daylight hours in an agricultural landscape in California between 30 April and 2 May 2007. |
| A simple artificial burrow design for burrowing owls PDF, 361KB Jul 16 14 |
Barclay, JH Journal of Raptor Research 42(1): 53-57 2008 |
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| Abundance and density of mountain plover (Charadrius montanus) and Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) in eastern Colorado PDF, 214KB Aug 22 14 |
Heather C. Tipton, Paul F. Doherty. and Victoria J. Dreitz The Auk, 126 (3): 493-499 2009 |
We estimated abundance of Mountain Plovers and Burrowing Owls in three habitats within the Colorado shortgrass prairie ecosystem— prairie dog colonies, grassland not occupied by prairie dogs, and dryland agriculture. |
| An analysis of spatial clustering and implications for wildlife management - a burrowing owl example PDF, 163KB Jun 28 12 |
Fisher, JB, LA Trulio, GS Biging, and D Chromczak Environmental Management 39: 403-411 2007 |
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| Analyses of burrowing owl populations in New Mexico PDF, 1MB Jul 16 14 |
Arrowood, PC, CA Finley, and BC Thompson Journal of Raptor Research 35(4): 362-370 2001 |
Factors most often reported to be associated with stable or increasing populations were food availability, suitable habitat (including the presence of prairie dogs), and increased precipitation. |
| Assessing changes in the distribution and abundance of burrowing owls in California, 1993-2007 PDF, 11.4MB Jun 28 12 |
Robert Wilkerson and Rodney Siegel Bird Populations, 10: 1-36 2010 |
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| Assessing the feasibility of release techniques for captive-bred Burrowing Owls PDF, 351KB Aug 22 14 |
Ray G. Poulin and L. Danielle Todd Journal of Raptor Research, 40 (2): 142-150 2006 |
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| Association between wildlife and agriculture: Underlying mechanisms and implications in Burrowing Owls PDF, 177KB Aug 22 14 |
Colleen E. Moulton, Ryan S. Brady and James R. Belthoff The Journal of Wildlife Management, 70(3): 708-716 2006 |
To determine potential factors driving the association of burrowing owls with agriculture, we examined availability of suitable nest burrows (burrow availability hypothesis), abundance of potential prey (prey availability hypothesis), and predation of nest burrows (predation hypothesis) for owls nesting in the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area in southwestern Idaho during 2001–2002. |
| Bird mortality in the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area, California PDF, 958KB Aug 22 14 |
K. Shawn Smallwood and Carl Thelander The Journal of Wildlife Management, 72(1): 215-223 2008 |
Precision of mortality estimates could be improved by deploying technology to remotely detect collisions and by making wind turbine power output data available to researchers so that the number of fatalities can be related directly to the actual power output of the wind turbine since the last fatality search. |
| Breeding dispersal of a Burrowing Owl from Arizona to Saskatchewan PDF, 131KB Aug 22 14 |
Geoffrey L. Holroyd, Courtney J. Conway, and Helen E. Trefry The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, 123 (2): 378-381 2011 |
We document a female Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) that nested in Arizona and dispersed 1,860 km to Saskatchewan, where she successfully raised seven young during the same breeding season. |
| Burrow occupancy patterns of the Western Burrowing Owl in southern Nevada PDF, 2MB Aug 15 14 |
Paul D. Greger and Derek B. Hall Western North American Naturalist, 69(3):285-294 2009 |
Monthly burrow monitoring was conducted over a 4-year period (1997-2001) in southern Nevada to determine burrow occupancy patterns of Burrowing Owls and to evaluate the effects of burrow type and desert region on burrow occupancy |
| Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) population genetics: A comparison of North American forms and migratory habits PDF, 704KB Aug 22 14 |
Nicole M. Korfanta, David B. McDonald, and Travis C. Glenn The Auk, 122 (2):464-478 2005 |
To assess genetic structure, we examined 201 individuals from nine western and six Florida populations at seven highly variable microsatellite DNA loci. |
| Burrowing Owl and other migratory bird mitigation for a runway construction project at Edwards AFB PDF, 528KB Aug 22 14 |
Amber L. Hoehn, Mark Hagan, and Mark Bratton Human-Wildlife Conflicts, 3 (2):251-256 2009 |
To discourage nesting in the project area, reduce the potential for bird and wildlife–aircraft strikes, and maintain compliance with federal environmental law, more than 400 potential nesting burrows and nesting habitat (e.g., trees, shrubs, and cacti) were removed prior to the nesting season and construction activities. |
| Burrowing Owl associations with black-tailed prairie dog colonies in southwestern Kansas and southeastern Colorado PDF, 103KB Aug 22 14 |
Stephen L. Winter and Jack F. Cully, Jr. The Prairie Naturalist, 39 (2):69-75 2007 |
We quantified the use of black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colonies as habitat for the burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) in southwestern Kansas and southeastern Colorado. |
| Burrowing Owl mortality in the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area PDF, 299KB Aug 22 14 |
K. Shawn Smallwood, Carl G. Thelander, Michael L. Morrison, and Lourdes M. Rugge The Journal of Wildlife Management, 71(5):1513-1524 2007 |
All turbines in the APWRA could be shut down and blades locked during winter, when 35% of the burrowing owls were killed but only 14% of the annual electricity was generated. Terminating rodent control and installing flight diverters at the ends of turbine rows might also reduce burrowing owl mortality, as might replacing turbines with new-generation turbines mounted on taller towers. |
| Burrowing Owl nest success and burrow longevity in north central Oregon PDF, 358KB Aug 22 14 |
Aaron L. Holmes, Gregory A. Green, Russell L. Morgan, and Kent B. Livezey Western North American Naturalist, 63 (2):244-250 2003 |
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| Burrowing Owls and agricultural pesticides: Evaluation of residues and risks for three populations in California, USA PDF, 66KB Aug 15 14 |
Jennifer A. Gervais, Daniel K. Rosenberg, D. Michael Fry, Lynne Trulio, and Kenneth K. Sturm Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 19(2):337-343 2000 |
We examined selenium, organophosphorus, and organochlorine pesticide residues in egg, footwash, and feather samples from burrowing owls in three populations in central and southern California. |
| Characteristics of roost sites used by Burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia) wintering in southern Texas PDF, 1.1MB Aug 22 14 |
Damon L. Williford, Marc C. Woodin, Mary K. Skoruppa, and Graham C. Hickman The Southwestern Naturalist, 52(1):60-66 2007 |
Most previous research has focused on burrowing owl breeding biology, and little is known about its winter ecology. We determined characteristics of roost sites used by western burrowing owls in southern Texas during winter. |
| Chronic Organochlorine Contaminants, Environmental Variability, and the Demographics of a Burrowing Owl Population PDF, 163KB Aug 15 14 |
Gervais, Jennifer A. and Anthony, Robert G. Ecological Applications, 13(5):1250-1262 2003 |
We studied a population of Burrowing Owls whose eggs contained the organochlorine compound p,p'DDE and traces of other organochlorine contaminants to determine if the levels of contamination were associated with survival or reproduction when nonanthropogenic environmental and biological variables were also considered. |
| Comparative demography of burrowing owls in agricultural and urban landscapes in southeastern Washington PDF, 200KB Jul 22 14 |
Conway, CJ, V Garcia, MD Smith, LA Ellis, and JL Whitney Journal of Field Ornithology 77(3):280-290 2006 |
Due to high burrow fidelity from year to year, and the tendency of some owls in Washington to overwinter, we recommend that legal protection of nest burrows be extended to the nonbreeding season. |
| Correlations between burrowing owl and black-tailed prairie dog declines: A 7-year analysis PDF, 488KB Jul 22 14 |
Desmond, MJ, JA Savidge, and KM Eskridge Journal of Wildlife Management 64(4): 1067-1075 2000 |
We monitored burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) populations and prairie dog densities in 17 black-tailed prairie dog colonies in the Nebraska panhandle between 1990 and 1996. |
| Density and reproduction of Burrowing Owls along an urban development gradient PDF, 2.1MB Aug 22 14 |
Brian A. Millsap and Cindy Bear The Journal of Wildlife Management, 64(1):33-41 2000 |
We observed 785 breeding attempts at 264 unique nest sites in an increasing population of owls. Linear regression indicated that nest site density (6.9 pairs/ km2 in 1990) increased until 45-60% of lots were developed before decreasing. |
| Diet and food-niche breadth of Burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia) in the Imperial Valley, California PDF, 73KB Aug 22 14 |
Melissa M. York, Daniel K. Rosenberg, and Ken K. Sturm Western North American Naturalist, 62 (3):280-287 2002 |
Burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia) occupy intensively managed agricultural areas within the Imperial Valley of California, where they occur at high densities relative to other areas in the state, and yet reproductive rates are often low. Understanding diet and food-niche breadth may lead to insights into factors contributing to their poor reproductive performance. |
| Distribution and abundance of western burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) in southeastern California PDF, 65KB Aug 22 14 |
Wilkerson, RL and RB Siegel The Southwestern Naturalist 56(3): 378-384 2011 |
During the 2006 and 2007 breeding seasons, we conducted a systematic survey for western burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) across the portions of California’s southeastern deserts that had never been systematically surveyed for the species. |
| Distribution and abundance of western burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) in southeastern California. PDF, 197KB Sep 04 13 |
Wilkerson and Siegel Southwestern Naturalist, 56(3) 2011 |
Peer reviewed doc on distribution of Burrowing Owl |
| Diurnal time budget of Burrowing Owls in a resident population during the non-breeding season PDF, 100KB Aug 22 14 |
David H. LaFever, Kristin E. LaFever, Daniel H. Catlin, and Daniel K. Rosenberg The Southwestern Naturalist, 53(1):29-33 2008 |
We evaluated the hypothesis that during the non-breeding season the gender-specific allocation of time and effort observed diurnally in the breeding season changes, with males and females exhibiting more similar time budgets. |
| Do land-use patterns influence nest-site selection by Burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) in northeastern Colorado? PDF, 200KB Aug 22 14 |
Patricia B. Orth and Patricia L. Kennedy Canadian Journal of Zoology, 79:1038-1045 2001 |
We predicted that owl-occupied prairie dog towns would be in less fragmented landscapes that contain more prairie then owl-unoccupied prairie dog towns. To test this prediction, we used a geographic information system and spatial analysis metrics to examine the landscape within 1000 and 2500 m radius circles surrounding prairie dog towns in the shortgrass prairie in northeastern Colorado. |
| Effects of human land use on western burrowing owl foraging and activity budgets EFFECTS OF HUMAN LAND USE ON WESTERN BURROWING OWL FORAGING AND ACTIVITY BUDGETS, 131KB Aug 22 14 |
Chipman, ED, NE McIntyre, RE Strauss, MC Wallace, JD Ray, and CW Boal Journal of Raptor Research 42(2): 87-98 2008 |
We compared the diurnal foraging and activity budgets of adult male Burrowing Owls during the breeding seasons of 2004 and 2005 at three urban and three rural sites in northwestern Texas |
| Effects of radiotransmitter necklaces on behaviors of adult male western burrowing owls PDF, 105KB Jul 16 14 |
Chipman, ED, NE McIntyre, JD Ray, MC Wallace, and CW Boal Journal of Wildlife Management 71(5): 1662-1668 2007 |
Although the owls spent a significant amount of time interacting with their necklaces, they appeared to habituate to the presence of the transmitters within a relatively short period, and necklaces did not affect survivorship or fitness in the short-term. |
| Effects of radiotransmitters on natal recruitment of burrowing owls PDF, 145KB Jul 16 14 |
Conway, CJ and V Garcia Journal of Wildlife Management 69(1): 404-408 2004 |
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| Effects of survey methods on Burrowing Owl behaviors PDF, 116KB Aug 22 14 |
Jeffrey A. Manning and Robb S. A. Kaler The Journal of Wildlife Management, 75(3):525-530 2011 |
We designed a field experiment to compare burrowing owl flight distances, times displaced, and probabilities of being displaced between 4 potential population survey methods (single walking surveyor, single vehicle stop, single vehicle stop with 2 surveyors, and double vehicle stop with 2 surveyors), and an experimental control in the agricultural matrix of Imperial Valley, California. |
| Estimation of reproductive rates of Burrowing Owls PDF, 1.6MB Aug 15 14 |
Leah R. Gorman, Daniel K. Rosenberg, Noelle A. Ronan, Katherin L. Haley, Jennifer A. Gervais, and Vince Franke Journal of Wildlife Management, 67(3):493-500 2003 |
We compared methods for estimating reproductive rates of burrowing owls, defined as the number of 21- to 28-day-oldyoung per successful nest. We compared observations using (1) the mean and (2) the maximum number of young observed during 5 30-min observation periods, and (3) the maximum number of young videotaped during 2-hrvideo surveillance. |
| Factors affecting daily nest survival of Burrowing Owls within black-tailed prairie dog colonies PDF, 2.4MB Aug 22 14 |
Sarah J. Lantz and Courtney J. Conway The Journal of Wildlife Management, 73(2):232-241 2009 |
We estimated daily nest survival for a migratory population of burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia) breeding in black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colonies in Wyoming, USA. We compared estimates based on 3 common approaches: apparent nesting success, Mayfield estimates, and a model-based logistic-exposure approach. |
| Factors affecting detection probability of Burrowing Owls in southwest agroecosystem environments PDF, 258KB Aug 22 14 |
Jeffrey A. Manning The Journal of Wildlife Management, 75(7):1558-1567 2011 |
I used closed-population capture-recapture models to evaluate 4 factors that could affect the probability of a surveyor detecting an owl activity center (i.e., nest burrow) during visual surveys where owls are the focal object and analyzed the relationship (linear or curvilinear) between specific factors and detection probability. |
| Factors affecting the presence of nesting burrowing owls in an agricultural landscape PDF, 214KB Jul 16 14 |
Bartok, ND and CJ Conway Journal of Raptor Research 44(4): 286-293 2010 |
We examined factors that influenced the presence of nesting Western Burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) along roadsides and irrigation water-conveyance systems within an intensive agricultural area in Imperial Valley, southeastern California. |
| Factors influencing nesting success of Burrowing Owls in southeastern Idaho PDF, 308KB Aug 15 14 |
Richard S. Gleason and Daniel R. Johnson Great Basin Naturalist, 45 (1):81-84 1985 |
A burrowing owl (Athene cuniciilaria) population nesting on the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL) in southeastern Idaho utilized burrows excavated by badgers (Taxidea taxiis) or natural cavities in lava flows as nesting sites. |
| Factors influencing selection of road culvert as winter roost sites by Wester Burrowing Owls FACTORS INFLUENCING SELECTION OF ROAD CULVERTS AS WINTER ROOST SITES BY WESTERN BURROWING OWLS, 131KB Aug 22 14 |
Damon Williford, Marc C. Woodin, and Mary Kay Skoruppa Western North American Naturalist, 69(2):149-154 2009 |
We studied factors influencing the selection of road culverts as roost sites by Burrowing Owls by comparing characteristics of 34 occupied and 100 unoccupied culverts. |
| Factors related to body condition of nestling Burrowing Owls in Buffalo Gap National Grassland, South Dakota PDF, 641KB Aug 15 14 |
Randall L. Griebel and Julie A. Savidge The Wilson Bulletin, 115(4):477-480 2003 |
In 1999, which had a wet spring, body condition was negatively related to brood size and distance from nest to colony edge. There was no relationship between body condition and brood size during 2000, which had normal precipitation. |
| Food habits of Burrowing Owls in Southeastern Idaho PDF, 208KB Aug 15 14 |
R. L. Gleason and T. H. Craig Great Basin Naturalist, 39 (3):274-276 1979 |
Food habits of a population of the Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, Butte County, were studied. |
| Habitat and nest-site selection by Burrowing Owls in the sagebrush steppe of Idaho PDF, 1.2MB Aug 22 14 |
Terrell Ranch The Journal of Wildlife Management, 50(4):548-555 1986 |
Burrow security and prey availability, especially the proximity to populations of montane voles (Microtus montanus) on farmland, may explain some of the habitat selection observed. |
| Home range and dispersal of juvenile Florida Burrowing Owls PDF, 118KB Aug 22 14 |
Robert J. Mrykalo, Melissa M. Grigione, and Ronald J. Sarno The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, 119 (2):275-279 2007 |
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| Importance of agricultural landscapes to nesting Burrowing Owls in the Northern Great Plains, USA PDF, 279KB Aug 22 14 |
Marco Restani, J. Morgan Davies, and Wesley E. Newton Landscape Ecology, 23:977-987 2008 |
Management that protects prairie dog colonies bordering cropland and crested wheatgrass should be implemented to maintain nesting habitat of burrowing owls. |
| Influence of prey abundance on northern spotted owl reproductive success in western Oregon PDF, 319KB Aug 22 14 |
Daniel K. Rosenberg, Keith A. Swindle, and Robert G. Anthony Canadian Journal of Zoology, 81:1715-1725 2003 |
The low temporal variability of the dominant prey species provided evidence that simple prey relationship models were not likely to ex- plain the highly synchronous and temporally dynamic patterns of spotted owl reproductive performance. Reproductive success was likely a result of the interaction of both weather and prey and the life history strategy of this long-lived owl. |
| Interactive effects of prey and p,p'DDE on Burrowing Owl population dynamics PDF, 233KB Aug 15 14 |
Jennifer A. Gervais, Christine M. Hunter, and Robert G. Anthony Ecological Applications, 16(2):666-677 2006 |
We used population models to explore the effects of the organochlorine contaminant p,p'-DDE and fluctuations in vole availability on the population dynamics of Burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia). |
| Intraspecific variation in reproductive traits of burrowing owls PDF, 221KB Jul 22 14 |
Conway, M, CP Nadeau, and CJ Conway Journal of Ethology 30(3): 395-402 2012 |
We examined intraspecific variation in clutch size, laying chronology, onset of incu- bation, incubation period, and hatching asynchrony in burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia) in the Imperial Valley of California. |
| Modelling effects of chemical exposure on birds wintering in agricultural landscapes: The western burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) as a case study PDF, 1.7MB Jul 22 14 |
Engelman, CA, WE Grant, MA Mora, and M Woodin Ecological Modelling 224(1): 90-102 2012 |
The model should prove useful in helping prioritize the chemicals and transfer pathways targeted in future studies and also, as these new data become available, in assessing the relative danger to other birds of exposure to different types of agricultural chemicals. |
| Movements, activity patterns, and habitat use of Burrowing Owls in Saskatchewan PDF, 2MB Aug 22 14 |
Elizabeth A. Haug and Lynn W. Oliphant The Journal of Wildlife Management, 54(1):27-35 1990 |
We studied the breeding ecology of burrowing owls( Athene cunicularia) in central Saskatchewan during 1982-83. We determined home range, activity patterns, and habitat used for foraging for 6 radio-tagged adult male owls |
| Multi-scale habitat selection by Burrowing Owls in black-tailed prairie dog colonies PDF, 1.6MB Aug 22 14 |
Sarah J. Lantz, Courtney J. Conway, and Stanley H. Anderson The Journal of Wildlife Management, 71(8):2664-2672 2007 |
To design and implement effective recovery efforts, we need a better understanding of how distribution and demographic traits are influenced by habitat quality. To this end, we measured spatial patterns of burrowing owl breeding habitat selection within black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus)colonies in northeastern Wyoming, USA. |
| Nest destruction associated with mortality and dispersal of burrowing owls in the Imperial Valley, California PDF, 49KB Jul 16 14 |
Catlin, DH and DK Rosenberg The Southwestern Naturalist 51(3): 406-409 2006 |
We documented the effects of inadvertent nest destruction from road maintenance activities on the survivorship, reproductive success, and breeding dispersal of burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia) breeding in natural burrows along the water delivery system in the Imperial Valley of California. |
| Nesting ecology of Burrowing Owls occupying black-tailed prairie dog towns in southeastern Montana PDF, 916KB Aug 22 14 |
Marco Restani, Larry R. Rau, and Dennis L. Flath Journal of Raptor Research, 35 (4):296-303 2001 |
In 1998 we studied nest-site selection, productivity ,and food habits of Burrowing Owls breeding on prairie dog townsin southeastern Montana. |
| Nesting success and habitat relationships of Burrowing Owls in the Columbia Basin, Oregon PDF, 1.3MB Aug 15 14 |
Gregory A. Green and Robert G. Anthony The Condor, 91(2):347-354 1989 |
Nest successwas 57% for 63 nests in 1980 and 50% for 76 nests in 1981. Desertion was the major cause (32%) of nest failures and was related to the proximity of other nesting pairs. Depredation of nests by badgers (Taxideataxus) was the next most frequent cause (14%) of nest failure. |
| Notes on the Burrowing Owl food habits in Oklahoma PDF, 424KB Aug 22 14 |
Jack D. Tyler The Southwestern Naturalist, 28(1):100-102 1983 |
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| Novel micro satellite loci for the Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia PDF, 192KB Aug 22 14 |
Alberto Macias-Duarte, Courtney J. Conway, Adrian Munguia-Vega, and Melanie Culver Conservation Genetics Resources 2010 |
To determine the breeding dispersal patterns underlying this distributional change, we developed 11 novel polymorphic microsatellite loci for the species. We tested these loci in two burrowing owl breeding populations, one from central Sinaloa, Mexico, and one from the Central Valley of California, USA. |
| Passive relocation - a method to preserve burrowing owls on disturbed sites PDF, 566KB Jun 28 12 |
Trulio, LA Journal of Field Ornithology 66(1): 99-106 1995 |
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| Population trajectory of burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia) in Eastern Washington PDF, 232KB Jul 16 14 |
Conway, CJ and KL Pardieck Northwest Science 80(4): 292-297 2006 |
To provide insights into the current status of burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia), we analyzed data from the North American Breeding Bird Survey using two analytical approaches to determine their current population trajectory in eastern Washington. |
| Post-breeding dispersal of Burrowing Owls in an extensive California grassland PDF, 80KB Aug 22 14 |
Jeff R. Rosier, Noelle A. Ronan, and Daniel K. Rosenberg The American Midland Naturalist, 155 (1):162-167 2006 |
The large dispersal distances we observed within the breeding season were greater than previously published estimates of between-year breeding dispersal based on mark-recapture methods and provide insight into the lack of genetic differentiation observed among burrowing owl populations. |
| Pre-migratory movements by juvenile Burrowing Owls in a patchy landscape PRE-MIGRATORY MOVEMENTS BY JUVENILE BURROWING OWLS IN A PATCHY LANDSCAPE, 182KB Aug 22 14 |
L. Danielle Todd, Ray G. Poulin, R. Mark Brigham, Erin M. Bayne, and Troy I. Wellicome Avian Conservation and Ecology, 2(2):4 2007 |
We used radio-telemetry and supplementary feeding to test if body condition or landscape pattern influenced pre-migratory movements of juvenile Burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia) in a fragmented landscape. |
| Radiotransmitter mount type affects Burrowing Owl survival PDF, 79KB Aug 15 14 |
Jennifer A. Gervais, Daniel H. Catlin, Nathan D. Chelgren, and Daniel K. Rosenberg Journal of Wildlife Management, 70(3):872-876 2006 |
We conducted research on the demographics, space use, and dispersal patterns in 2 resident populations of burrowing owls in California. We used 2 different radio attachment methods with varying total mass during the course of these research projects. |
| Regional and seasonal diet of the Western Burrowing Owl in south central Nevada PDF, 948KB Aug 22 14 |
Derek B. Hall, Paul D. Greger, and Jeffrey R. Rosier Western North American Naturalist, 69 (1):1-8 2009 |
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| Relationship between yolk androgens and nest density, laying date, and laying order in Western Burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) PDF, 595KB Aug 22 14 |
J.L. Welty, J.R. Belthoff, J. Egbert, and H. Schwabl Canadian Journal of Zoology, 90:182-192 2012 |
It is possible that the seasonal pattern in yolk androgens that we observed is related to aspects of mate quality for females or declining chances of fledging success for later nesting females, whereas rises in egg androgens between early and late eggs within clutches could reflect a mechanism to assist nestlings from late-laid eggs that hatch one to several days after their siblings to better compete for resources within the nest or promote survival in the presence of larger siblings. |
| Rodents new to the diet of the western Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) PDF, 75KB Aug 22 14 |
Damon L. Williford, Marc C. Woodin, Mary Kay Skoruppa, and Graham C. Hickman The Southwestern Naturalist, 54(1):87-90 2009 |
The northern pygmy mouse (Baiomys taylori), fulvous harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys fulvescens), and Merriam’s pocket mouse (Perognathus merriami) are new to the diet of the western burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea). |
| Selected aspects of Burrowing Owl ecology and behavior PDF, 2MB Aug 22 14 |
Dennis J. Martin The Condor, 75(4):446-456 1973 |
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| Sex and nest stage differences in the circadian foraging behaviors of nesting Burrowing Owls PDF, 1.3MB Aug 22 14 |
Ray G. Poulin and L. Danielle Todd The Condor, 108 (4):856-864 2006 |
Vertebrates comprised 98%-99% of prey biomass delivered until females began delivering insects, but even then vertebrates still comprised 94% of prey biomass. Insects were consistently delivered at the highest rate during the day and vertebrates were consistently delivered at the highest rates during the dusk and dawn periods. |
| Some foods eaten by a Burrowing Owl overwintering on southern Vancouver Island PDF, 452KB Aug 22 14 |
Kenneth H. Morgan, Richard J. Cannings and Crispin S. Guppy Northwestern Naturalist, 74 (3):84-87 1993 |
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| Space use and pesticide exposure risk of male Burrowing Owls in an agricultural landscape PDF, 2.4MB Aug 15 14 |
Jennifer A. Gervais, Daniel K. Rosenberg, and Robert G. Anthony Journal of Wildlife Management, 67(1):155-164 2003 |
Owl home ranges varied in size within (but not between) years, and not in conjunction with any of the biological factors we measured. |
| Survival of Florida Burrowing Owls along an urban-development gradient PDF, 990KB Aug 22 14 |
Brian A. Millsap Journal of Raptor Research, 36 (1):3-10 2002 |
I estimated survival rates of a Florida Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia floridana) population on a 35.9-km study area in Lee County, Florida, 1987-91 to determine if there was a relationship between annual survival and development density |
| Temporal patterns of DDE in Burrowing Owl eggs from the Imperial Valley, California PDF, 75KB Aug 15 14 |
Jennifer A. Gervais and Daniel H. Catlin The Southwestern Naturalist, 49(4):509-512 2004 |
We compared levels of DDE contamination in the eggs of burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia) from the Imperial Valley of California in 2002 to levels detected in eggs collected at the same site in 1996. |
| Territory defense of nesting Burrowing Owls: Responses to simulated conspecific intrusion PDF, 305KB Aug 22 14 |
Colleen E. Moulton, Ryan S. Brady, and James R. Belthoff Journal of Field Ornithology, 75 (3):288-295 2004 |
To investigate the potential expression of territorial behavior of Burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia) in southwestern Idaho, we used a playback protocol to determine if Burrowing Owls actively defended their nesting site from conspecifics, and if so, to determine the extent of their territorial boundaries. |
| The diet of the Burrowing Owl, Athene cunicularia, in the arid lands of northeastern Patagonia, Argentina PDF, 107KB Aug 22 14 |
M.J. Nabte, U.J.F. Pardinas, and S.L. Saba Journal of Arid Environments, 72:1526-1530 2008 |
Our results suggest that the Burrowing Owl were mainly nocturnal hunters and evidenced a generalist diet, consuming a wide spectrum of prey items, including invertebrates (insects and chelicerates), and several types of vertebrates (mammals, birds and lizards). |
| The diet of western burrowing owls in an urban landscape PDF, 124KB Jun 13 13 |
Trulio, L and P Higgins Western North American Naturalist 72(3): 348-356 2012 |
Peer reviewed paper on the diet of Western Burrowing owls in urban settings |
| The effect of burrow site use on the reproductive success of a partially migratory population of western burrowing owls (Speotyto cunicularia hypugaea) PDF, 962KB Jul 16 14 |
Botelho, ES and PC Arrowood Journal of Raptor Research 32(3): 233-240 1998 |
We comparedthe number of nestlingsproduced by pairs of Burrowing Owls (Speotyto cunicularia hypugaeau) using burrows in different types of nest sites, use of different types of burrows by resident and migrant males, and burrow type use by returning migrant males and females and the productivity of individuals that switched burrows. |
| The effects of nesting success and mate fidelity on breeding dispersal in burrowing owls PDF, 266KB Jul 16 14 |
D. H. Catlin, D. K. Rosenberg, and K. L. Haley |
Our results suggest that nesting failure was the primary factor associated with dispersal probability and dispersal distance in burrowing owls in our population. |
| The howdy owls of Arizona: A review of the status of Athene cunicularia PDF, 819KB Jul 16 14 |
Brown, NL Journal of Raptor Research 35(4): 344-350 2001 |
This paper summarizes existing information on the Burrowing Owl in Arizona and provides baseline information for future studies. |
| The importance of prairie dog towns to burrowing owls in Oklahoma PDF, 33KB Jul 16 14 |
Butts, KO and JC Lewis Proceedings of the Oklahoma Academy of Science 62: 46-52 1982 |
Owls that nest in nonprairie dog habitat in Oklahoma are utilizing marginal habitat and may consist primarily of population overflow from the preferred habitat. To maintain healthy populations of burrowing owls in Oklahoma, safe from possible extinction, prairie dog towns should also be maintained. |
| The status of Burrowing Owls in San Diego County, California PDF, 996KB Aug 22 14 |
Jeffrey L. Lincer and Peter H. Bloom Proceedings of the California Burrowing Owl Symposium, 90-102 2007 |
Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) populations in San Diego County appear to have decreased through the early 1900s in conjunction with human population growth and concomitant habitat loss. |
| Use of recorded calls to detect Burrowing Owls PDF, 247KB Aug 22 14 |
Elizabeth A. Haug and Andrew B. Didiuk Journal of Field Ornithology, 64 (2):188-194 1993 |
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| Ventilatory and metabolic responses of Burrowing Owls, Athene cunicularia, to moderate and extreme hypoxia: Analysis of the hypoxic ventilatory threshold vs. hemoglobin oxygen affinity relationship in birds PDF, 472KB Aug 22 14 |
Delbert L. Kilgore Jr., Dona F. Boggs, Trevor J. Kilgore, Conrad Colby, Burl R. Williams Jr., and Ryan W. Bavis Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part A, 150:247-257 2008 |
In the current study, burrowing owls breathing 11% and 9% O2 showed a significantly elevated total ventilation. The arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) at which ventilation is elevated above normoxic values in burrowing owls was 58 mm Hg. |
| OTHER INFORMATION | ||
| 2012 Shoreline Burrowing Owl Preservation Plan PDF, 1.7MB Aug 22 14 |
Lynne Trulio and Philip Higgins City of Mountain View, Public Works and Community Services Department 2012 |
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| An adaptive management plan for Burrowing Owl population at Naval Air Station Lemoore PDF, 400KB Aug 22 14 |
Daniel Rosenberg, Jennifer Gervais, Holly Ober, and David DeSante US Navy, Engineering Field Activity West 1998 |
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| Are Burrowing Owls using enhanced habitat? PDF, 18KB Aug 22 14 |
Andrea Kotylak and Margaret A. Skeel Nature Saskatchewan |
Monitoring at OBO sites has indicated the Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl population has declined 92% from 1988–2009 (OBO database). Habitat is improved by enlarging pastures to increase grassland patch size and reduce habitat fragmentation. |
| Burrowing owl habitat management plan - evaluation of impacts to burrowing owls for the NASA Ames development plan PDF, 3.7MB Jun 28 12 |
Trulio, L NASA Ames Development Plan 2002 |
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| Burrowing owl nesting success in urban and parkland sites in northern California PDF, 358KB Jun 13 13 |
Trulio, LA and D Chromczak California Burrowing Owl Symposium, 1-15 |
Review of research on burrowing owl nesting success in urban and park settings. |
| Burrowing owl survey protocal and mitigation guidelines PDF, 453KB Jun 28 12 |
The California Burrowing Owl Consortium 1993 |
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| Current status, distribution, and conservation of the Burrowing Owl (Speotyto cunicularia) in Midwestern and Western North America PDF, 176KB Aug 22 14 |
Steven R. Sheffield 2nd Owl Symposium |
I suggest that Burrowing Owls serve as a model sentinel species of the health of the midwestern and western grassland ecosystems and that proactive conservation measures and changes in policy are necessary for the continued existence of populations of Burrowing Owls. |
| Habitat management series for unique or endangered species: Burrowing Owl PDF, 1.6MB Aug 22 14 |
Mark Zarn U.S. Bureau of Land Management Papers 1974 |
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| Natural history and protection of Burrowing Owls PDF, 293KB Aug 22 14 |
Clark S. Winchell Proceedings of the Sixteenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1994 |
Burrow types and ways to differentiate burrows used by owls from those used by California ground squirrels (Spermophilus beecheyi) are outlined. |
| Observations on the breeding ecology of Burrowing Owls in Saskatchewan PDF, 4MB Aug 22 14 |
Elizabeth Anne Haug A Thesis Presented to University of Saskatchewan 1985 |
Observations regarding breeding biology of burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia) were collected on 98 breeding pairs during 1982 and 1983. |
| Proceedings of the California Burrowing Owl Symposium (Front matter and Table of Contents) PDF, 65KB Jul 30 13 |
Barclay, JH, KW Hunting, JL Lincer, J Linthicum, and TA Roberts (eds)
Bird Populations Monographs No. 1, Institute for Bird Populations/Albion Environmental Inc. 2003 |
Table of Contents |
| Staff Report on Burrowing Owl Mitigation PDF, 116KB Jun 28 12 |
California Department of Fish and Game 2012 |
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| Status assessment and conservation plan for the western burrowing owl in the United States PDF, 908KB Jun 13 13 |
David S. Klute,
Loren W. Ayers,
Michael T. Green
William H. Howe
Stephanie L. Jones
Jill A. Shaffer
Steven R. Sheffield6,
Tara S. Zimmerman US Fish & Wildlife Service, Biological Technical Publication 2003 |
Background information and conservation plan for the Western Burrowing Owl. Good bibliography attached. |
| Strategies for protecting western Burrowing Owls (Speotyto cunicularia hypugaea) from human activities PDF, 45KB Aug 22 14 |
Lynne A. Trulio 2nd Owl Symposium |
Preliminary information indicates that methods which keep birds near nest burrows may be more successful than those in which birds are relocated outside nesting territories. Adequate monitoring is necessary when using these methods and more data are required to ascertain which conditions will produce successful breeding populations. |
| Study of waterbirds response to trail use in the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project PDF, 2.6MB Jul 30 13 |
Trulio, L, J Sokale, and K Lafferty, December 5, 2008 |
Report on the research conducted at the South Bay salt marsh to help managers adress public access and wildlife interactions |
| The role of food limitation and predation on reproductive success of Burrowing Owls in Southern California PDF, 426KB Aug 22 14 |
Katherin L. Haley Thesis submitted to Oregon State University 2002 |
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| Users guide to installation of artificial burrows for Burrowing Owls PDF, 3.3MB Aug 22 14 |
David H. Johnson, Donald C. Gillis, Michael A. Gregg, James L. Rebholz, Jeffrey L. Lincer, and James R. Belthoff Tree Top Inc. 2010 |
Artificial Burrow Systems (ABS) have been in use since the 1970’s, and this management tool has been thoughtfully studied and refined since its inception. In this Users Guide, we provide a synthesis of material relevant to the use of ABS for Burrowing Owls, insights into the placement of ABS, design specifications and installation techniques, and fundamental anti-predator strategies. |
Links
| TITLE | DATE ADDED |
|---|---|
| Burrowing Owl Calls http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Burrowing_Owl/sounds |
Jul 08 13 |
| Distribution and abundance of western burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) in southeastern California http://www.biomedsearch.com/article/Distribution-abundance-western-burrowing-owls/269339109.html |
Sep 04 13 |
| Long term population dynamics of a manged Burrowing Owl colony http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/70003522 |
Mar 11 14 |