The Florida Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia floridan)is the most encountered listed species in the City of Cape Coral with over 2,500 owlburrows. The Florida burrowing owl is a small, long-legged owl (averaging 9 inches in height) that lives in open areas with low vegetation, such as dry prairies, pastures, parks, agricultural fields, golf courses, airports and vacant lots. Burrowing owls dig burrows that they use for nesting and sheltering, though they also will use gopher tortoises or armadillo burrows, as well as some manmade structures. Burrowing owl burrow entrances are roughly circular or oblong and vary in size, typically 3.5 to 6 inches in diameter, often—but not always—with a mound of excavated soil at the entrance. During the breeding season, the entrance to the nesting burrow may contain adornments such as paper, shells, glass, pieces of plastic, animal fecal material, clumps of grass, animal parts, or other items.
May 11, 2019 - I documented Mom, Dad and two chicks.
