Athene cunicularia hypugaea

(Bonaparte, 1825)

Vernacular names
English : Burrowing owl
French : Chevêche des terriers

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Strigiformes
Family : Strigidae
Notes : 17 other subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can reach a length of 26 cm for a weight of 156 g, females being heavier than males. Facial disk poorly defined but with black edges. Plumage dark brown, mottled with beige and white, getting clearer on belly. Fairly long legs.

Range and habitat
This species occurs from south-west Canada and west USA to Central America, north and far east South America and from central Brazil to south Argentina. Lives in all kinds of almost treeless open habitats, preferably dry, up to 4500 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is globally common but local declines and extinctions occur because of hunting and habitat loss. Reintroduction is attempted.
Ex-Situ Programs : SSP in America

Observation

 

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