Species Spotlight: Burrowing Owl

Add to their expressive brow their whole-body bobs, 180-degree head tilts to the left and right, and communal nature, and you start to understand why just about everyone loves a burrowing owl.

Despite our affection for them, burrowing owl populations are dwindling. They’re considered birds of conservation concern, both federally and in Oregon, as well as in seven other Western states. The main conservation concerns are habitat loss—specifically, the loss of flat, open lands like sagebrush steppe and grasslands—and the decline of burrowing mammals like badgers that the owls depend on to excavate their underground homes.

Public lands provide the natural habitat that burrowing owls and every other wildlife species depend on. That’s why organizations like the Bend-based Oregon Natural Desert Association are working to conserve the most wild, spectacular and important public lands in Oregon’s high desert.

If you are among the many who adore burrowing owls and want to support their recovery, one small step is to purchase Oregon Natural Desert Association’s Wild Desert Calendar at ONDA.org. Featuring stunning landscape and wildlife photography, the latest edition of this celebrated publication includes graceful pronghorn, emblematic greater sage-grouse and, yes, comical burrowing owls. All proceeds from every calendar purchased support critical conservation initiatives in Oregon’s high desert.

There’s nothing funny about the dangers facing burrowing owls, but the good news is that each of us can take action to ensure these odd little owls are out there for a long time to come, cooing and hissing, bobbing and head-tilting, burrowing and bringing us joy.