burrowing owl

The burrowing owl is a small bird about the size of a robin. It is marked by its long legs, yellow eyes, white throat with a brown half-collar, and round head without the ear tufts common to most other owls. The burrowing owl may be found throughout central Canada and in the northern USA. The burrowing owl's natural habitat consists of grassy, prarie-like land with loose soil. The owl resides in subterranean burrows, and its long legs allow it to peer over the wild grass which would otherwise obfuscate its vision. Burrowing owls subsist on a diet of small animals and insects. The owl is capable of making seventeen distinct vocalizations, and thus enjoy a communications ability vastly surpassing most other animals. They capitalize on this vocal ability by forming small, loose bands around steady food sources and have been known to practice philanthropy. The burrowing owl is very tolerant of human activity, and as a result its numbers are dwindling to endangered levels. The World Wildlife Fund has allocated funds to further the survival of the burrowing owl.