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Animal Guide

Burrowing Owl

40 destinations · 21 states

Native Range
Grasslands, deserts, and open habitats of North and South America

Burrowing owls have an unusual habit for an owl: they often spend time on the ground. At a zoo or wildlife destination, watch one stand upright beside its burrow, bob its head, or suddenly dart after something moving nearby. Their long legs are easy to notice when they walk or run across open ground, and their bright yellow eyes give them an alert expression. Unlike many owls, burrowing owls are active during the day as well as around dawn and dusk, so visitors may have a good chance of seeing them awake. They use abandoned burrows made by prairie dogs and other animals, although they can also dig their own when the soil allows. Listen for soft calls and watch how quickly the owl disappears into its burrow when startled. Their diet includes insects, rodents, lizards, and other small animals, and they may wait patiently near the entrance before making a quick move. Native to open landscapes across the Americas, burrowing owls are built for life where there are few trees and plenty of ground to explore.

Burrowing Owl

Where to see Burrowing Owl

40 destinations across 21 states

40 destinations

Abilene Zoo

Abilene, TX

ABQ BioPark Zoo

Albuquerque, NM

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Tucson, AZ

Boonshoft Museum of Discovery

Dayton, OH

Central Coast Zoo (formerly Charles Paddock Zoo)

Atascadero, CA

CuriOdyssey

San Mateo, CA

Detroit Zoo

Royal Oak, MI

El Paso Zoo

El Paso, TX

Elmwood Park Zoo

Norristown, PA

Fort Worth Zoo

Fort Worth, TX

Fresno Chaffee Zoo

Fresno, CA

High Desert Museum

Bend, OR

Houston Zoo

Houston, TX

Hutchinson Zoo

Hutchinson, KS

Lake Superior Zoo

Duluth, MN

Lee Richardson Zoo

Garden City, KS

Living Desert Zoo

Carlsbad, NM

Memphis Zoo

Memphis, TN

Minnesota Zoo

Apple Valley, MN

National Aviary

Pittsburgh, PA

North Carolina Zoo

Asheboro, NC

Oklahoma City Zoo

Oklahoma City, OK

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium

Omaha, NE

Orange County Zoo

Orange, CA

Phoenix Zoo

Phoenix, AZ

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

Tacoma, WA

Roosevelt Park Zoo

Minot, ND

Saint Louis Zoo

St. Louis, MO

Salisbury Zoological Park

Salisbury, MD

San Antonio Zoo

San Antonio, TX

San Diego Zoo

San Diego, CA

Sylvan Heights Bird Park

Scotland Neck, NC

The Dallas World Aquarium

Dallas, TX

The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens

Palm Desert, CA

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk

Norwalk, CT

Tracy Aviary at Liberty Park

Salt Lake City, UT

Utah's Hogle Zoo

Salt Lake City, UT

Zoo Knoxville

Knoxville, TN

Zoo Miami

Miami, FL

ZooAmerica

Hershey, PA

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