Burrowing owl

Burrowing owl
Brazilian burrowing owl A. c. grallaria Pantanal, Brazil
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
CITES Appendix II (CITES)[2]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Strigiformes
Family:	Strigidae
Genus:	Athene
Species:	A. cunicularia
Binomial name
Athene cunicularia (Molina, 1782)
Subspecies
About 20 living, see text
Range of A. cunicularia   Summer breeding range   Winter non-breeding range   Resident breeding range
Synonyms
Strix cunicularia Molina, 1782 Speotyto cunicularia Spheotyto cunicularia (lapsus)

The burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia), also called the shoco, 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.^[3] 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 kinds of owls, though, burrowing owls do most of their hunting during dusk and dawn, when they can use their night vision and hearing to their advantage. Living in open grasslands as opposed to forests, the burrowing owl has developed longer legs that enable it to sprint, as well as fly, when hunting.