Burrowing owl  (Athene cunicularia)

Range

The burrowing owl has a very large breeding range that extends throughout the Americas. It occurs from central and western Canada, south through central and western North America, Central America and South America as far as Tierra del Fuego, with vagrant individuals found as far afield as the Falkland Islands (1) (2). Within South America it is widespread, being absent only from parts of the Andes and the Amazon basin (3). Disjunct populations of this species also occur in Florida and on several islands in the Caribbean, including Cuba and Hispaniola, and off the west coast of Mexico (2), but it has become extinct on Antigua, Barbuda and Guadeloupe (1).

View a distribution map for this species at UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

Habitat

The burrowing owl occupies a range of open habitats, including grasslands, treeless plains, savanna and desert, usually in regions supporting a significant population of burrowing mammals (1) (2). Populations may also be found in settled areas, around golf courses, cemeteries, airports, vacant lots in residential areas, university campuses, and fairgrounds (2).

left