Burrowing owls are small owls that live in open, treeless areas. They get their name because they nest and roost in burrows in the ground, often ones dug by prairie dogs or other animals. Burrowing owls are most active at dawn and dusk, when they hunt for food.
When do burrowing owls wake up?
Burrowing owls typically wake up and become active just before sunrise. In the summer, when the days are longer, this may be around 5:00-5:30 AM. In the winter, when sunrise is later, they may not wake up until 6:30-7:00 AM. Just before sunrise, you can often see burrowing owls perched outside their burrows, waiting to begin hunting. They will preen their feathers, stretch, and become alert as the sky starts to brighten.
Morning hunts
Once the sun is up, burrowing owls will take to the wing and start hunting. Their main prey items are insects, small rodents, lizards, and other small animals. The morning hours after sunrise are a prime time for them to find food. Burrowing owls often perch on fence posts or other elevated spots and watch for movement on the ground. When they spot prey, they will swoop down quickly to grab it in their talons. They may also hover briefly while hunting. Morning hunts last for a few hours after sunrise, tapering off as the day heats up.
Midday rest
As the temperature climbs in the late morning and afternoon, burrowing owls typically head back to their burrows to rest and escape the midday heat. They spend much of the afternoon sheltered underground where it is cooler. Above-ground activity is reduced during these hours, but owls may still perch near the burrow entrance and watch for potential threats or food items nearby.
Evening activity
In the late afternoon and early evening, as temperatures start to cool again, burrowing owls will emerge from their burrows and again become active. They will spend time preening, stretching, and watching for prey. Their main burst of activity, though, centers on the hours around sunset. This is when they intensify their hunting, looking for insects, rodents, and other creatures before night falls. Burrowing owls have good low-light vision and can still effectively hunt at dusk.
Nocturnal habits
Although burrowing owls are active at dawn and dusk, they are not strictly nocturnal like some other owl species. They do exhibit some nocturnal behavior, especially during the breeding season when hunting needs are higher. On summer nights, they may leave the burrow to hunt for a few hours after sunset. But most hunting still centers on crepuscular times around dawn and dusk.
Differences by season
Burrowing owls living in areas with very hot summers may become nocturnal during those seasons to avoid daytime heat. Their daily rhythms may also shift slightly between the breeding season, when energetic demands are higher, and the non-breeding season. One study found that during the breeding season, male burrowing owls left the burrow earlier in the morning and returned later at night than in the winter.
Adaptations for dawn and dusk activity
Burrowing owls have several adaptations that help them take advantage of crepuscular activity patterns:
- Large, forward-facing eyes allow excellent depth perception and prey tracking in low light.
- A disk of face feathers focuses sound to their ears, helping them hunt by ear.
- Long legs let them quickly chase prey once spotted.
- Cryptic brown plumage provides camouflage while hunting.
- Dark eyes that quickly adjust to changing light levels.
Typical daily schedule
Here is an overview of a typical daily activity schedule for a burrowing owl:
Time | Activity |
---|---|
5:00-7:00 AM | Wake up and emerge from burrow, preen, watch for prey |
7:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Morning hunting |
12:00-4:00 PM | Midday rest underground in burrow |
4:00-7:00 PM | Emerge from burrow, preen, watch for prey |
7:00-9:00 PM | Evening hunting |
9:00 PM – 5:00 AM | Roosting/resting in burrow; some nocturnal hunting |
Of course, this schedule can vary based on factors like breeding season demands, weather conditions, and geographic location. But in general, burrowing owls are most active hunting and foraging in the crepuscular hours around dawn and dusk.
Other behaviors at dawn and dusk
In addition to hunting, burrowing owls engage in other activities during their peaks of dawn and dusk activity:
- Territorial defense – Burrowing owls may perform flight displays and calls to defend their territory against intruders.
- Predator mobbing – Groups may harass potential predators like hawks that come near the nest.
- Vocalizations – Peak calling times are around sunset.
- Interaction with mates and young – Most social contact occurs during crepuscular hours.
- Preening and grooming feathers – Important for feather maintenance and waterproofing.
Conclusion
In summary, burrowing owls are well-adapted to be most active during the dim hours around dawn and dusk. Their crepuscular schedule allows them to take advantage of prime hunting opportunities in the low light when prey is also active. Although capable of occasional nocturnal activity, burrowing owls do most of their hunting, socializing, and other behaviors during the transition times at morning and evening twilight. Understanding their daily rhythms provides insight into the lives of these unique small owls of open habitats.