Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia/ (Speotyto cunicularia)

Similar in size and appearance to Eurasia's Little Owl, the Burrowing Owl is its long-legged American equivalent ranging from Canada through to the tip of South America. It lives on the open prairies/grasslands and deserts of North, Central and South America nesting in burrows, often excavated by other animals such as ground squirrels and prairie dogs.

Like the Little Owl, the Burrowing Owl is active in the day but hunts most at dusk and dawn. It preys on small rodents (such as mice), small reptiles and large insects. It even is said to gather mammal dung outside its burrow to attract dung beetles to eat.

It is sometimes referred to as its own separate genus (Speotyto).

Like other owls, they can turn their heads nearly 360 degrees.