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Juvenile Burrowing Owls
Athene cunicularia
36.3183, -115.176
Field Notes
Description:
These young owls range in age from 25 to 30 days old. They were nearly half way toward maturity, and the ability to hunt and ultimately survive on their own. They have pale white eyebrows, throat, and unmarked buffy-colored breast, as pictured. They are distinguished from other owls with their long legs, nesting in burrows rather than trees.
Habitat:
The owls pictured live in an orchard in an urban area of Las Vegas, NV. Artificial burrows have been constructed in the orchard and surrounding area with assistance from Red Rock Audubon and Nevada Fish and Wildlife. Some burrows have been monitored internally through camera by researchers from the University of Idaho. The orchard is beneficial as it supports insects, small reptiles (lizards and snakes), and mammals such as mice upon which the owls feed. There is also some protection from close-in human activity. These birds are vulnerable in southern Nevada due to urban development and the associated population increase in the area.
Notes:
Burrowing owls through this stage in their lives face some harsh challenges and realities. Even before they hatch, there are uncertainties. In a nearby burrow monitored by camera, a snake entered and attempted to grab an egg. Mom placed herself between the snake and egg clutch, ultimately forcing the snake to leave. During monitor of the pictured burrow last year, a coopers hawk visited unexpectedly and took one of the chicks who had ventured too far from the safety of the burrow. The chicks hatch from a clutch of eggs sometimes over a period of a week or more, not hatching at the same time. Those who hatch early have a distinct size advantage over those who hatch just a few days later. They grow fast...note size differences in the first photo above with estimated ages ranging from 25 to 30 days old. As the parents (pictured in photo 3) bring food to the burrow, the larger chicks will aggressively take their share first (2nd photo above with the daily special, a june bug). The smaller juveniles sometimes get much less, or just go hungry. Being cute and cuddly does not count in survival matters. Ultimately, of the five owl chicks pictured…4 survived to fledge as of July 13th. It is still early in their young lives, with survival odds adverse to them. Be safe, guys!
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