Florida Burrowing Owl

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Florida Burrowing Owl Averaging only 9 inches in height the Burrowing Owl is Florida’s smallest owl. The lands they require to flourish are often the same lands that humans find most attractive for development. This can bring the two into contact and places the burrowing owl in a dangerous position as we try to make room for new residents without damaging our native wildlife. With foresight, planning, and a little extra effort we can learn to co-exist with these tiny owls and make sure they can still be found in Orange County for years to come. Green PLACE (Park Land Acquisition for Conservation and Environmental Protection) is an initiative to preserve, enhance and restore environmentally sensitive lands. This program encourages the establishment of regional corridors, greenways, and blueways. Preservation of environmentally sensitive lands is an important tool used by federal, state, local and private organizations. These lands preserve natural resources, protect imperiled wildlife and plant species, provide passive recreational opportunities for the public, and provide wildlife corridors for species that require a large geographic distribution, such as the Florida Black Bear and the Florida panther. A Green PLACE Nature Series PHOTO: JAY EXUM ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION 407-836-1400 www.ocfl.net/epd Printed on 100% post-consumer recycled/carbon neutral plus paper produced with certified renewable energy Environmental Protection Division

Transcript of Florida Burrowing Owl

Florida Burrowing Owl

Averaging only 9 inches in height the Burrowing Owl is Florida’s smallest owl. The lands they require to flourish are often the same lands that humans find most attractive for development. This can bring the two into contact and places the burrowing owl in a dangerous

position as we try to make room for new residents without damaging our native wildlife. With foresight, planning, and a little extra effort we can learn to co-exist with these tiny owls and make sure they can still be found in Orange County for years to come.

Green PLACE (Park Land Acquisition for Conservation and Environmental Protection) is an initiative to preserve,

enhance and restore environmentally sensitive lands. This program encourages the establishment of regional corridors, greenways, and blueways.

Preservation of environmentally sensitive lands is an important tool used by federal, state, local and private organizations. These lands preserve natural resources, protect imperiled wildlife and plant species, provide passive recreational opportunities for the public, and provide wildlife corridors for species that require a large geographic distribution, such as the Florida Black Bear and the Florida panther.

A Green PLACE Nature Series

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: JA

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION407-836-1400 www.ocfl.net/epd

Printed on 100% post-consumer recycled/carbon neutral plus paper produced with certified renewable energy

EnvironmentalProtectionDivision

Threatened Species A threatened species is likely to become endangered in the future if preventive measures are not taken. By protecting a species at this critical point, endangerment and extinction are more easily avoided.

• Burrowing Owls are diurnal this means that unlike most owls they are active during the day and not just at night.

• The Burrowing Owl will sometimes adapt to an urbanized environment and can live on private lawns. Such situations, however, can lead to higher mortality rates from car impacts.

Habitat: Open Prairies. They prefer cleared areas offering short ground cover and no trees.

Population: Estimated at less than 3,000 Burrowing Owls in Florida.

Age: Average of 3 years. The oldest recorded age is 9 years.

Home Range: Burrowing Owls in Florida are non-migratory birds and can be found year-round. When the habitat can support enough owls, several burrows can be found close together in loose colonies.

Diet: Insects including grasshoppers, beetles, roaches, and mole crickets. Other foods include small lizards, frogs, snakes, and rodents.

Threats: Loss of habitat is the main contributor to the species’ decline. Decreases in suitable lands have forced owls into close quarters with people where they are exposed to new dangers including people, pets, construction, and cars.

Status: State Threatened. Florida Law prohibits the taking of birds, nest, or eggs.

Florida Burrowing OwlAthene cunicularia floridana

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