Burrowing owls are unique owls that live in underground burrows and nest on the ground. Unlike most other owls that migrate south for the winter, burrowing owls can remain in the same territory year-round if the climate is mild and their habitat is suitable.
Do burrowing owls migrate for winter?
Burrowing owls show a range of migratory behaviors depending on the subspecies, location, and climatic conditions. Some populations are permanent residents that remain in the same burrows year-round. Other populations migrate short distances to find suitable habitat nearby. Long-distance migration does occur in some burrowing owl populations that breed in Canada and the northern United States.
Here are the main migratory strategies used by burrowing owls:
- Permanent residents – Owls in mild climates like Florida and parts of California stay year-round
- Regional dispersers – Owls move locally to find habitat within a region
- Short-distance migrants – Owls fly a few hundred miles south for winter
- Medium-distance migrants – Some Canadian owls migrate 500-1000 miles
- Long-distance migrants – Owls from the far northern U.S. and Canada migrate 1500+ miles
The burrowing owl subspecies found across most of the U.S. and Canada is the Western burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea). Their migratory habits vary widely based on location.
Western burrowing owl migration
Here is an overview of the different migratory strategies used by Western burrowing owls in North America:
- Pacific Northwest – Mostly regional dispersers and short-distance migrants
- Southwestern U.S. – Mostly permanent residents and regional dispersers
- Central Plains – Medium and long-distance migrants, travel 1000+ miles
- Midwestern U.S. – Medium and long-distance migrants, travel 1000+ miles
- Florida – Permanent residents
Burrowing owls are rare in the northeastern U.S., but those present are probably regional dispersers or short-distance migrants.
The banding and tracking of burrowing owls has shed light on their migratory connectivity – meaning the linkage between breeding, wintering, and migratory stopover sites across a bird’s annual cycle. Researchers have found that burrowing owls show weak migratory connectivity, possibly because suitable habitat for them is patchy across North America.
Wintering grounds for migrating burrowing owls
Burrowing owls migrate from northern breeding areas to more southern wintering grounds. Here are some of the key wintering areas:
- Southwestern U.S. – Arizona, New Mexico, Texas
- Mexico – Central and coastal Mexico
- Florida – Peninsula and Keys
- Caribbean islands – Cuba, Bahamas, Hispaniola
- Central America – Scattered wintering grounds
Some burrowing owls also overwinter along the Pacific coast from California to Washington, especially in milder winters.
Winter habitat
Burrowing owls seek out open grassland and prairie habitats on their wintering grounds, similar to their breeding habitat. They can also utilize airports, athletic fields, parks, golf courses, and agricultural areas.
Access to abandoned rodent burrows provides essential shelter for wintering owls. They may also dig their own burrows or utilize pipes, culverts, and nest boxes.
Threats faced by migrating burrowing owls
Burrowing owls numbers have declined significantly across North America in recent decades. Habitat loss on breeding and wintering grounds is a major threat:
- Urban and agricultural development
- Loss of native prairie
- Reduced burrow availability
Other threats faced by migrating burrowing owls include:
- Vehicle collisions during migration
- Power line collisions
- Wind turbine strikes
- Climate change disrupting migration patterns
- Pesticides reducing prey availability
Tracking burrowing owl migration
Scientists use various methods to study burrowing owl migration, including:
- Banding – Metal leg bands allow return sightings of owls
- Geolocators – Tiny tags record light levels to estimate location
- GPS tags – Track owl movements in real time
- Stable isotope analysis – Chemical markers in feathers identify origins
Banding data has documented burrowing owl migrations up to 1,900 miles between Canadian breeding sites and Mexican wintering sites. However, migration distance and routes can vary significantly between individuals.
Notable burrowing owl migrations
Here are some record-setting burrowing owl migration distances documented by researchers:
- 1,900 miles – Alberta to Veracruz, Mexico
- 1,700 miles – Saskatchewan to Tamaulipas, Mexico
- 1,500 miles – Manitoba to Zacatecas, Mexico
- 1,300 miles – Minnesota to Texas
- 1,100 miles – North Dakota to Texas
These long-distance migrants traveled 100-200 miles at a time by flying at night and resting during the day. The fall migration south took 2-3 months for most owls. It’s unknown if individual owls return to the exact same wintering site each year.
Spring migration back to breeding grounds
Most burrowing owls start their spring migration north in late February and March. They follow a looped route, traveling first northeast or east before turning northwest to return to their breeding grounds.
Some reasons for this loop migration include:
- Following elf owl populations migrating from Mexico
- Seeking areas with early spring emergence of ground squirrels and prairie dogs
- Riding favorable tailwinds on longer water crossings like the Gulf of Mexico
Adult male burrowing owls often start migrating north before adult females and juveniles. The males arrive first to claim burrows and attract early mates at the breeding sites.
Spring migration is hurried, with most owls arriving on the breeding grounds by April or May. Upon arrival the owls must quickly regain condition, establish territories, find mates, and prepare nests.
Year-round burrowing owl residency
Not all burrowing owls migrate. Owls living in suitable habitat with mild winters can remain as year-round residents, including:
- Southern Florida
- Coastal and southern California
- Arizona
- New Mexico
- Texas
- Mexico
These resident owl populations shift locally within their home ranges to utilize the best habitat. But they do not embark on long seasonal migrations.
Benefits of remaining on territory year-round may include:
- Saving energy from migrating long distances
- Maintaining ownership of prime burrows
- Earlier start to breeding in spring
- Ability to produce multiple broods
The willingness of burrowing owls to forego migration and remain as residents highlights the importance of habitat quality and food availability when determining migratory strategies.
Conclusion
Burrowing owls display a mix of migratory strategies across North America based on regional climate and habitat. While some populations embark on migrations of 1000 miles or more between breeding and wintering grounds, others are able to remain as residents in suitable habitat year-round.
Ongoing tracking studies and conservation efforts are helping shed light on the migration routes, wintering grounds, and population connectivity of these unique grassland owls.