4/27/18

Burrowing Owl



 Burrowing Owl
 (Athenecunicularia)

Photographed in
Cape Coral, FL       Apr 2006
Tigertail Beach, Marco, FL     Mar 2013



Cape Coral has the highest concentration of Burrowing Owls in the United States.

The Burrowing Owl stands nine inches tall and weighs in at about four ounces, but has long legs. The Burrowing Owl digs its home in the white sandy soil. Their extensive tunnels can house up to four to six. The female will lay about six to eight eggs, which takes a month to hatch. The young will stay in the burrows for about forty-two days.

You can see the owl standing watch over the burrow like the one in the picture. This picture was taken on a side road about six to eight feet in from the street.

On these empty lots, any construction would be halted and roped off around the nesting area. A “T shaped” perch is placed beside the nest and left till after the owls have left. It is illegal to disturb these nesting sites.
2006 Movie
The film is about a group of children trying to save a burrowing owl habitat from destruction. The habitat is located on the intended construction site of a pancake house. The developer of the project intends to proceed regardless of the environmental damage it would cause. Hoot features live burrowing owls and music by Jimmy Buffett. Buffett is also listed as a co-producer, and he played the role of Mr. Ryan, the science teacher.







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