Burrowing Owl
Guarding the nest, Whitewater, Colorado, May 1, 2012. Video length: 1:07
Published: May 24, 2012
Richard Seeley took this video of a Burrowing Owl guarding its nest in Whitewater, Colorado, on May 1, 2012. Burrowing Owls were at one time fairly common and widespread over western North America. Populations have declined, and in some cases have disappeared due to human encroachment on their habitat. They are listed as endangered or threatened in a number of states and are endangered in Canada. The owl is considered threatened in Colorado. They do not dig their own burrows, but instead will borrow the vacated burrows created by prairie dogs and squirrels for nesting. The elimination/reduction of prairie dogs can cause the populations of the owls to collapse, further endangering them.
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