Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia)

Identification & Behavior: ~23.5 cm (9.3 in). The Burrowing Owl is heavily spotted on the upperparts and underparts. Some forms show barring on the belly. The iris is yellow. It favors open or semi-open habitats. It is similar to the Short-eared Owl but is distinguished by smaller size, spotted appearance, the lack of vestigial ear tufts, and the lack of black fringes around the facial discs.

Status: The Burrowing Owl is fairly common and widespread on the western lowlands. It also occurs in southeastern and northeastern Peru where is uncommon to rare. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, Bo, and Ch.

Name in Spanish: Lechuza Terrestre.

Sub-species: Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia punensis), (Chapman), 1914. SW Ecuador (C Manabí) S in coastal region to NW Peru (Piura).
(A. c. nanodes), (Berlepsch and Stolzmann), 1892. Coastal SW Peru to N Chile (Arica).
(A. c. juninensis) (Berlepsch and Stolzmann), 1902. Andes from C Peru to W Bolivia and NW Argentina.

Meaning of Name: Athene: Gr. deity Athena. cunicularia: L. cunicularius, cuniculus= mine, mining, tunnel, underground passage.

See more of the Family Strigidae