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The burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) is a small, long-legged owl found throughout open landscapes of North and South America. This bird got its scientific name in honor of Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom whose favorite bird was an owl, and the Latin word cunicularia, meaning a miner or burrower. As the name suggests, they nest and roost in burrows, such as those excavated by prairie dogs, squirrels, rodents, or even reptiles. Their diets include insects, small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and other birds, depending on the season and food availability. They are most active at dawn and dusk, but some of them hunt during both day and night. Insects are more often caught during the d...View all