Burrowing Owl Information

The burrowing owl is a pint-sized bird that lives in open, treeless areas. The burrowing owl spends most of its time on the ground, where its sandy brown plumage provides camouflage from potential predators. One of Florida's smallest owls, it averages nine inches in height with a wingspan of 21 inches. The burrowing owl lacks the ear tufts of the more familiar woodland owls. Bright yellow eyes and a white chin accent the face. Unusually long legs provide additional height for a better view from its typical ground-level perch. The burrowing owl differs from most other species of owls in several ways. Instead of nesting in the trees, as most birds do, the burrowing owl gets it name from living underground in burrows. It digs its own holes or lives in abandoned gopher tortoise and armadillo burrows. Unlike other owl species, burrowing owls hunt mostly by day.  In flight,

Click here for answers to frequently asked questions about the Burrowing Owl  Adopt-a-Burrow! Click here for more information

burrowing owls ripple and roll as if they are flying an invisible obstacle course. They also can hover in midair, a technique very effective for capturing food. They are very adaptable, and as long as they have food, a dry burrow and short grass around their burrows, they can survive. Burrowing owls are unique in that they can live in close proximity to humans.

The Florida burrowing owl is the most often encountered protected species in the City of Cape Coral. The Florida burrowing owl is classified as a "species of special concern" by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. This means burrows, owls, and their eggs are protected from harassment and/or disturbance by state law. Burrowing owls are also protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Many Cape Coral neighborhoods seem to have numerous burrowing owl residents, and some citizens may wonder why the City makes such a concerted effort to identify and protect these birds. Considering the fact that there are so many here in the Cape, why are these birds listed as a protected species? These are reasonable questions often asked by newcomers and long-time residents.

Biologists have not attempted an accurate statewide population count, but the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission once estimated the statewide population at between 3,000 and10,000 pairs. The Cape Coral population is estimated at more than 1,000 pairs. Considering the high percentage of the total population residing in Cape Coral, the success of Cape Coral’s burrowing owl population is important to the success of the entire population.

This is particularly meaningful in light of severe decline and extirpation of once thriving populations of burrowing owls in other parts of Florida. One of the main threats to the owl’s survival is destruction of their habitat. Agricultural, residential and commercial development destroys the areas where owls live. In years past, burrowing owls migrated to coastal areas cleared for development. Cleared land that is routinely mowed closely resembles their historical range, which consisted of treeless uplands. The owl populations then fail when these areas approach build-out.

Cape Coral is similar to some of the other areas where burrowing owl populations have declined drastically. Cape Coral is distinguished by its enormous scale. Even though there are currently thousands of vacant lots, planning for the future involves planning for build-out. With relatively easy protection efforts, Cape Coral can help this species, which has lived in Florida for eons, continue to survive. Without protective measures, Cape Coral’s burrowing owls may one day disappear.

Protecting a Burrow During Construction

Burrowing owls often nest on vacant lots in rapidly developing suburban areas and may respond to disturbed soil conditions associated with early construction activities. Home construction, subsequently, is a major cause of burrow destruction. Many people wrongly believe that nobody can build on a lot if burrowing owls occupy it. One of the key management practices in Cape Coral is the site inspection provided by the contractor prior to permitting. The contractor must submit a Burrowing Owl Affidavit with all building permits. All burrows on the project site must be reported on the affidavit.

If a burrowing owl nest is present on a prospective construction site, one of two scenarios can occur, depending on the proximity of the owl burrow to development.

The developer must first determine if there is any way to construct the project while maintaining a protection zone with at least a ten foot radius in all directions from the burrow entrance. Building around an owl nest is the best scenario for the owls and the contractor because:

1. you will not need to obtain any special owl permits, and
2. construction around a burrowing owl protection zone can take place at any time of year.

The protection zone delineation can be constructed with any materials (e.g. stakes, rope, survey tape) adequate to protect the area from encroachment. Signs, available at the building counter should be posted to communicate that the area is protected by law. When construction is complete, the property owner does not need to keep ugly weeds, orange ribbon, and stakes around the burrow, although a single T-perch next to the entrance is recommended for safety and attracting owls. The lawn may be irrigated and regularly mowed all year long, although pesticides should be avoided to the greatest extent possible.

Studies in Cape Coral have shown that if construction occurs while maintaining this protection zone, nesting is seldom interrupted. Some owls may stay at the nest while construction is going on; other owls may not use the protected nest during construction but may return after the construction is complete. Owls have a strong tenacity to return to a prior nesting site. If their previous nest site is not available, they seek to take over other burrows. So, do not think that protecting the burrow is a wasted effort just because you do not notice an owl around.

If the burrow is located within the building envelope, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's policy is to issue permits to allow destruction of burrowing owl nest burrows only as a last resort and after all reasonable alternatives (such as realigning development to avoid the nest) have been considered and determined impractical. In order to minimize the adverse impacts to the species when a nest is destroyed, the contractor or homeowner is strongly encouraged to place a “starter burrow” some place on the property.

Construction vehicles, equipment, and material deliveries often spill over onto adjoining lots. Busy construction or delivery personnel may have no knowledge of burrowing owls or may have obstructed views while driving large machinery or vehicles. Please contact the City Planning and Growth Management Division at 239-574-0589, if you are concerned about construction near an owl burrow.

How you can help the burrowing owls?

In Cape Coral, burrowing owls are most successful in neighborhoods that are between 50 percent and 75 percent developed. In areas nearing full development, few nesting pairs remain. This is, at least in part, because there is a lack of nesting sites; however, more traffic in these areas likely results in more owls being hit by cars. Also, pressure from human harassment probably is higher in built-out neighborhoods as well as attacks by cats and dogs.

• Email the City of Cape Coral at wildlife@capecoral.net, to make sure the City is aware of the burrow. This will help the City protect the site.
• Install stakes and T-perches near owl burrows. Perches provide burrowing owls with an elevated view of the nest area, and also make the burrows more visible to mowing machine operators. Burrows may collapse if mower tires pass near the burrow entrance. Stakes and T-perches are available at Rotary Park.
• If you put up stakes and a perch, be sure to keep the grass and weeds trimmed low around the burrow to give owl the unobstructed view that they need to avoid predators. It is okay to use gas or electric weed trimmers, but do not use riding mowers, as their weight could collapse the burrow. If you are unable to maintain the burrow, please contact the City of Cape Coral at wildlife@capecoral.net. 
• Click here for maps of recommended burrowing owl viewing locations.

If you have any questions about burrowing owls, please email the City at wildlife@capecoral.net. Another valuable source of information is Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife, at www.ccfriendsofwildlife.org or Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, at www.myfwc.com.

Source:
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
www.myfwc.com