Owl (Burrowing)

Cape Coral has the highest concentration of Burrowing Owls in the United States.

The Burrowing Owl stands nine inches tall and weighs in at about four ounces, but has long legs. This Owl digs its home in the white sandy soil. Their extensive tunnels can house up to four to six. The female will lay about six to eight eggs, which takes a month to hatch. The young will stay in the burrows for about forty-two days.

You can see the owl standing watch over its burrow like the one in the picture. This picture was taken on a side road about six to eight feet in from the street. On these empty lots, any construction would be halted and roped off around the nesting area. A “T shaped” perch is placed beside the nest and left till after the owls have left. It is illegal to disturb these nesting sites.

These Owls are also found in the praires of Canada.

Photographed in Cape Coral, FL