The burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) is a small, long-legged owl found throughout open landscapes of North and South America. Burrowing owls live in burrows that have been dug out by small mammals like ground squirrels or prairie dogs. They are often found in grasslands, prairies, agricultural areas, and other open habitats. Burrowing owls are active during the day and can often be seen perching near the entrance to their burrow or hovering low over the ground.
In North America, burrowing owl populations have declined in many areas over the last 150 years as their prairie habitat has been lost to agriculture and development. However, they can still be found in scattered locations across the continent. Burrowing owls are considered endangered, threatened, or a species of special concern in most parts of their range in the United States and Canada.
Michigan is at the northeastern edge of the burrowing owl’s breeding range in North America. Here in Michigan, burrowing owls are listed as a state endangered species. They are rarely observed in the state today. However, burrowing owls are known to have bred in Michigan in the past, and scattered sightings continue to occur occasionally. So do burrowing owls still exist in Michigan today? Let’s take a closer look.
Historic Range and Decline in Michigan
Burrowing owls were never abundant in Michigan compared to the Great Plains states further west. But at one time they could be found nesting in scattered open grassland habitats across the southern half of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Based on studies of owl specimens collected in the late 1800s and early 1900s, burrowing owls appear to have been most common in southwestern Michigan during this time period.
The conversion of Michigan’s native prairie and savanna ecosystems to farms and cities led to the decline of burrowing owls in the state by the early 1900s. The last confirmed nesting of wild burrowing owls in Michigan was in 1991 in the Waterloo Recreation Area. Just a few pairs were found to be nesting there in abandoned ground squirrel burrows along a sandy roadside.
Since then, no breeding burrowing owls have been confirmed in the state despite extensive surveys of suitable grassland habitats. It is thought that burrowing owls have been extirpated as a breeding species in Michigan. Their decline mirrors the declines seen in burrowing owl populations in the eastern parts of their range across North America.
Occasional Sightings
While no breeding has been documented in over 30 years, individual wandering burrowing owls are still occasionally sighted in Michigan during the breeding season. These likely represent dispersing young birds or migrants from farther west.
There are a handful of credible sightings most years. Between 2010 and 2020, there were at least 29 reports of burrowing owls in 12 Michigan counties according to data from the Michigan Natural Features Inventory. Most sightings were in the southern tier of counties close to the Michigan-Ohio border. Erie Marsh in Monroe County, for example, had several burrowing owl sightings between 2017 and 2020.
These modern-day sightings show that burrowing owls still appear in Michigan from time to time. However, there is no evidence of an established breeding population remaining in the state.
Reintroduction Efforts
Efforts are underway to try to reestablish nesting burrowing owls in Michigan through reintroduction programs. Between 2015 and 2019, a total of 178 captive-raised chicks were released at four sites in Michigan with suitable grassland habitat managed by the Detroit Zoo’s burrowing owl breeding program. These sites include three state recreation areas and one private site. The goal is to create self-sustaining breeding populations at these reintroduction locations.
Early results have been promising. Released owls have been returning to nest in subsequent years, pairing up, and exhibiting nesting behaviors. However, no successful nesting or surviving fledglings have been confirmed so far. It will likely take many more years of reintroduction and monitoring to determine if stable burrowing owl populations can once again be established in Michigan grasslands.
Current Status in Michigan
In summary, burrowing owls have declined as a breeding species in Michigan due to habitat loss and are now considered state endangered. No breeding has been confirmed in the state since 1991. But occasional sightings of individual owls, likely migrants from western states or Canada, still occur. Reintroduction efforts are underway but it remains to be seen if wild burrowing owl populations can persist in Michigan long-term. For now, the only place you can reliably see burrowing owls in Michigan is at captive breeding facilities like the Detroit Zoo. But keep your eyes peeled when you are out in Michigan’s prairie and grassland remnants – you just might spot one of these rare owls!
Conclusion
While burrowing owls were once more common nesting birds in Michigan, habitat loss led to their decline over the last century. No confirmed breeding has occurred in the state for over 30 years. However, individual migrant or dispersing owls are still periodically sighted in areas with open grassland habitats. Reintroduction programs are attempting to bring back burrowing owls as a nesting species in Michigan. Only time will tell if these efforts are successful. For now, the chances of seeing a burrowing owl in Michigan are low, but a lucky sighting is still possible. Keep an eye out for these unique little owls when visiting southern Michigan prairies!