What Do Burrowing Owls Eat?

Burrowing Owl (athena) is a unique species native to the grasslands and deserts of North America, Florida, Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America. As the name suggests, these birds nest in underground burrows—often those that have been abandoned by other animals.

Burrowing owls feed primarily on a large number of insects and small mammals, including beetles, grasshoppers, mice and voles. However, they are opportunistic feeders and will spend a lot of time foraging, so they will go after any prey that is small enough for them to attack safely.

These quirky little owls are known to prey on bats, rabbits, snakes and other birds — some as big as ducks. Despite their relatively small size, they are as skilled hunters as other owls. If you’re interested in learning more about the eating habits of burrowing owls, keep reading!

Burrowing owls have a very diverse diet

What is the favorite food of a burrowing owl?

Burrowing owls’ favorite foods include beetles, other insects, mice, birds, and lizards. However, their diets are indeed very diverse. Burrowing owls are considered opportunistic feeders and have been known to eat any vertebrate or invertebrate they can handle.

On average, these owls ate more invertebrates such as beetles, scorpions, grasshoppers, termites, dragonflies and moths. But consumption by vertebrates constitutes the greatest amount of biomass in their diets. Burrowing owls feed on a variety of vertebrates, including other birds, bats, voles, ground squirrels, rabbits, snakes, lizards, frogs, and turtles.

How Often Do Burrowing Owls Eat?

Burrowing owls are opportunistic feeders – they will catch prey and eat when the opportunity presents itself. Owls are most active at dusk and dawn, but also hunt during the day and night.

Burrowing owls spend a lot of time foraging throughout the day

How Do Burrowing Owls Find Food?

Burrowing owls hunt in several different ways – the tactics used depend on the time of day and the prey they are hunting.

Owls typically hunt insects during the day – catching them from perches or walking along the ground. Vertebrates are usually hunted at dusk or dawn while circling close to the ground or observing from a height.

The burrowing owl catches prey with its sharp talons and carries it back to its burrow with its beak.

What time of day do burrowing owls eat?

Burrowing owls are considered twilight hunters, meaning they hunt primarily at dawn and dusk. However, these are not the only times when owls are active and feeding. They are usually active on and off within a 24-hour window.

Owls often hunt insects during the day. Dawn and dusk foraging, on the other hand, focuses on vertebrates such as mice, rabbits, bats and birds.

Burrowing owl with toad

What Do Burrowing Owls Eat During Winter?

During the winter, the burrowing owl feeds primarily on vertebrates, especially mammals and other birds, in its northern habitat (the southwestern United States). During the colder months, there are very few insects in the area.

On the other hand, their diet remained largely unchanged in the southern part of the burrowing owl’s territory. They still eat many insects and vertebrates.

What Do Burrowing Owls Eat During Spring and Summer?

During the spring to summer breeding season, burrowing owls primarily eat insects and other invertebrates such as scorpions and crustaceans. However, birds are opportunistic feeders and will feed on small mammals, reptiles, amphibians and other birds when the opportunity presents itself.

Closeup of a family of burrowing owls in Florida

What do baby burrowing owls eat?

Baby burrowing owls primarily eat small mammals and insects, including beetles, crickets, grasshoppers, caterpillars, moths, mice, voles, and ground squirrels. During the first two weeks, the males hunt and bring food back to the den, while the females feed and brood.

After about two weeks, the cubs are independent enough to be alone for short periods while the female goes hunting. At this stage, chicks can venture out of the burrow. However, they do not leave the nesting area until 44 to 53 days after hatching.

A burrowing owl feeds mealworms to one of their chicks

What can you feed a burrowing owl?

Burrowing owls’ diet consists mainly of insects and small mammals. If you have owls nesting near your home, you can provide food sources such as beetles, grasshoppers, and mice. However, these owls are excellent hunters and do very well on their own. They are also sensitive to human disturbance. It is best not to linger near nesting spots.

Do Burrowing Owls Forage on the Ground?

Burrowing owls typically hunt and forage on the ground. If they feel unsafe to stay outdoors, they will return to the den to feed.

Burrowing owl eating prey

What Do Burrowing Owls Drink?

Burrowing owls drink from a nearby water source. They tend to drink more often when the temperature rises.

How do I attract burrowing owls to my yard?

Burrowing owl habitats include open grasslands and deserts devoid of trees and tall shrubs. They often make their nests in the burrows of other animals, especially groundhogs. In fact, the two species are very closely related.

If you have this expansive roost with an abandoned burrow in your yard, then burrowing owls may be taking hold. However, this is highly unlikely to happen. These owls tend to avoid areas with high human activity.

Closeup of a Burrowing Owl

Are Burrowing Owls Omnivores?

Burrowing owls are considered carnivores. They mainly feed on insects, crustaceans, small mammals, birds and reptiles. However, these owls occasionally eat seeds and fruit.

Burrowing Owl Diet FAQs

Do Burrowing Owls Eat Groundhogs?

Burrowing owls may eat groundhog pups or groundhog carcasses. However, they are more likely to feed on mice and other small rodents.

Do Burrowing Owls Eat Rattlesnakes?

Burrowing owls will eat rattlesnakes and other snakes, but will not attack snakes that are too large for them to handle.

Do Burrowing Owls Eat Chicken?

Burrowing owls will occasionally eat other birds as large as ducks, so smaller chickens may be at risk. However, attacks on chickens are uncommon. Burrowing owls rarely hunt in such close proximity to humans.

Do Burrowing Owls Eat Rabbits?

Rabbits are one of the main vertebrate food sources for burrowing owls.

Burrowing owl lands with prey

Do Burrowing Owls Eat Cats?

A burrowing owl could catch and eat a kitten, but that’s unlikely. They mainly eat mice, voles, ground squirrels and shrews.

Do Burrowing Owls Eat Plants?

Burrowing owls’ diet consists mainly of insects and small mammals. However, they also occasionally eat fruit and seeds.

Do Burrowing Owls Eat Mice?

Burrowing owls do eat mice. Rats and other small rodents are the owl’s main food source.

Do Burrowing Owls Eat Ants?

There are no records of burrowing owls eating ants. However, they often eat termites and other small insects.

What Do Burrowing Owls Eat In Florida?

Florida burrowing owls primarily eat insects. But their diet also includes a variety of rodents, snakes, lizards, frogs and small birds.