Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) is in the Typical Owls family (Strigidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 17,056 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: year-round resident. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Burrowing Owl: observations by month (U.S.)
About Burrowing Owl
The burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) is a small, long-legged owl found throughout open landscapes of North and South America. Burrowing owls can be found in grasslands, rangelands, agricultural areas, deserts, or any other open dry area with low vegetation. They nest and roost in burrows, such as those excavated by prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.). Unlike most owls, burrowing owls are often active during the day, although they tend to avoid the midday heat. Like many other...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Burrowing Owl by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 6,154 | January | Oct–Jun |
| Texas | 3,184 | January | Dec–Nov |
| Florida | 2,940 | April | Nov–Sep |
| Arizona | 946 | March | Feb–Jan |
| Colorado | 744 | June | Apr–Sep |
| Utah | 494 | May | Mar–Sep |
| South Dakota | 424 | July | May–Aug |
| Oregon | 360 | May | Apr–Jul |
| New Mexico | 354 | June | Apr–Sep |
| Nevada | 273 | June | Mar–Jul |
| Montana | 222 | July | Apr–Sep |
| Oklahoma | 176 | June | Mar–Jul |
| Idaho | 152 | June | Mar–Jul |
| Washington | 137 | June | Mar–Jul |
| Nebraska | 129 | June | May–Aug |
| Kansas | 101 | April | Apr–Sep |
| Wyoming | 81 | July | May–Aug |
| Illinois | 38 | April | Apr–Apr |
| North Dakota | 36 | July | May–Aug |
| Louisiana | 22 | January | Jan–Feb |
| Minnesota | 21 | May | May–Jul |
| South Carolina | 18 | December | Dec–Jan |
| Alabama | 15 | March | Mar–Mar |
| Michigan | 9 | September | Sep–Sep |
| Iowa | 6 | April | Apr–May |
| Kentucky | 6 | February | Feb–Feb |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (Typical Owls)
Great Horned Owl
Barred Owl
Eastern Screech-Owl
Western Screech-Owl
Short-eared Owl
Snowy Owl
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Long-eared Owl
Photography tips
- Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
- Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
- Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
- Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Burrowing Owl?
Nationally, April has the most observations, with the main season from March to February.
Where is Burrowing Owl most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Texas, Florida.