Podcasts about burrowing owls

Emilie and I catch up about our past couple of days shooting in Florida including Burrowing Owls at night and two outings for shorebirds and wading birds. Then we finish the show with a listener question about how to deal with all the photos you have after a big trip or workshop. This episode is also available to watch on YouTube for all those interested. 

What do fake rattlesnakes, California ground squirrels, odd eye bones, bubonic plague, bizarre choices in home decor, and regurgitated mouse bones have to do with burrowing owls?  Join me and Phil Unitt as we venture into an urban canyon in San Diego to find out.  Helpful links: Phil Unitt's page Rattlesnake owl noise Urban Burrowing Owls piece by Clinton Abbott Fish and Wildlife page on burrowing owls Secretary Bird video Support Golden State Naturalist on ⁠Patreon⁠ and get perks starting at $4/month.  Follow me on ⁠Instagram⁠.  My website is ⁠goldenstatenaturalist.com⁠.  Get podcast Merch.  The theme song is called “i dunno” by grapes and can be found ⁠here⁠. Episode cover photo by Ray Hennessy

A decommissioned military base in northeast Oregon provides sanctuary for a recovering burrowing owl population.   David Johnson is founder of the Global Owl Project to protect endangered owl species all over the world. And one lucky owl species that's been David's main focus for these past 12 years is the little burrowing owl. His rescue mission involves some chemical weapons, an old military base, and a very large plunger.  This show would not be possible without listener support. You can help us continue to create this special immersive storytelling by donating at kuow.org/donate/thewild. Thank you. THE WILD is a production of KUOW, Chris Morgan Wildlife, and the NPR Network. This episode was produced by Matt Martin and edited by Jim Gates. The Wild is hosted, produced and written by Chris Morgan. Fact checking by Apryle Craig. Our theme music is by Michael Parker.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join us this week to talk about Burrowing Owls. These super cool and tiny owls live in burrows in the ground. Hear why, and all about their super unique behavior in this week's episode. Our usual hosts John Bates, Shannon Hackett, RJ Pole, and Amanda Marquart are joined by Aiyana Reissman to talk Burrowing Owls. Aiyana is the Animal Care Manager at the Living Coast Discovery Center in San Diego, California and has a ton of experience with these owls. In addition to the burrowing owls, we also get deep into some other topics like bird flu and changing big tech to get birds into the algorithm instead of cats :)Please send us your questions for us to answer as well! You can send them to podcast.birdsofafeather@gmail.comMake sure to follow us on instagram and tik tok as well!!

Emily Raboteau's book, Lessons for Survival, begins with a painting of two Burrowing Owls on the security gate of a local business in West Harlem, near where she teaches. Intrigued, she found more bird murals nearby, later learning that they are part of a collaborative effort between the National Audubon Society and artists to highlight bird species at risk of extinction due to climate change. Emily decided to seek out all the murals and photograph them before they disappear – because like birds, street art is ephemeral.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.

Burrowing Owls...those weird little owls that nest underground, and scowl disapprovingly at us with their bright yellow eyes. This episode is for them! We've invited Graham Dixon-MacCallum from the Wilder Institute to share quirky facts about this captivating species, help us understand why they're threatened, and learn more about a few of the conservation tools being used to help.As promised, here are some pointers for photographing owls without causing them harm. Check out these many great organizations working to help Burrowing Owls in Canada!Manitoba Burrowing Owl Recovery ProgramSaskatchewan Burrowing Owl Interpretive Center in Moose JawOperation Burrowing Owl ran by Nature SaskatchewanGrasslands National Park and Parks CanadaOperation Grassland Community in AlbertaBurrowing Owl Conservation Society of BCGraham Dixon-MacCallum leads the burrowing owl project at the Wilder Institute. His job requires coordinating with the federal and provincial governments, local ranchers, soldiers, graduate students, and multiple departments across the Wilder Institute. Aside from his work with burrowing owls, Graham has also studied anti-predator behavior in the conservation breeding population of Vancouver Island marmots at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo. Graham has worked on a wide variety of species across Canada, and in Costa Rica, Peru, and Gabon. Andrea Gress (she/her) secretly thinks Piping Plovers are better than all the other birds...studied Renewable Resource Management at the University of Saskatchewan. She pivoted towards birds, after an internship in South Africa. Upon returning, she worked with Piping Plovers in Saskatchewan and now coordinates the Ontario Piping Plover Program for Birds Canada.This project was undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada through the federal Department of Environment and Climate Change is supported by funding from Environment and Climate Change Canada. The views expressed herein are solely those of Birds Canada.

Amazing Wildlife focuses on the Southwest Conservation Hub to take a closer look at the burrowing owl, found in San Diego County—one of the most biologically diverse counties in the United States. Marco attempts to mimic the sound of this unique bird that is about the size of a stick of butter! Rick and Marco chat with Colleen Wisinski, conservation program manager of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance's burrowing owl recovery program, who shares how these active-in-daylight owls differ from nocturnal owls, and how they confuse potential predators. Colleen details her work with western burrowing owls, as we find out how they got their name and the importance of burrows. Finally, we get the inside scoop on the Wildwatch Burrowing Owl program, which is a way you can get involved in helping these birds!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inspired by being back in prairie dog country we're taking a look at some animals that tend to live in close proximity to them, and in some cases, depend on them for their very survival.  Learn about the decorating prowess of burrowing owls, how Shep the ranch dog helped save black footed ferrets from extinction and the amazing partnership that badgers are known to form with another predator.  All this and more in this episode of the Dispatches from the Forest Podcast!   Check out our patreon page: Patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest   Paypay/email address:  dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com   Merch store: cafepress.com/dispatchesfromtheforest

Summary: There are three categories of birds that can be found in the wild. Join Cheryl and Kiersten as they discuss the research of wildlife scientist John Marzluff and how it pertains to the birds in our backyards.   For our hearing-impaired listeners, a transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean.   Show Notes: Welcome to Subirdia: Sharing Our Neighborhoods with Wrens, Robins, Woodpeckers, and Other Wildlife, by John Marzluff.   Transcript    Cheryl Intro:          Ever wonder who moves into the neighborhood?  Birds, as adaptable as they are do not always want to live with humans, nor do they always benefit by sharing space with humans. In the book Welcome to Subirdia, the author, John Marzluff, a professor of Wildlife Science writes about this.  His team of graduate students studied urban, Subarian, and forested areas to identify and count the bird species in areas around Seattle, Washington.  Let's take a look at our region of the southwest; which birds thrive in our presence, which birds adapt to living with us, and which birds choose to stay clear of human activity. Kiersten: Avoiders Avoiders are those native bird species that are extinguished or decline over time as urbanization intensifies.  Birds like Burrowing Owls, Green heron, Orange- crowned warblers, Scarlet Tanager, or even the Scott's Oriole, and the Hairy Woodpecker.  These birds all have varying degrees of sensitivity to human development.  They move farther and farther away from it.  This is true of the hairy woodpecker.  It builds its nest in dead trees.  What HOA allows dead trees?  Burrowing owls are susceptible to predation by people's pets, and feral cats.  So, these ground dwelling owls of our local desert are pushed farther and farther out.  Some birds like the Green Heron just likes its privacy, so it has a low tolerance for our activities.  Scott's Oriole, and the Scarlet Tanager enjoy forested areas, and hunt insects.  Orange-crowned Warblers enjoy riparian areas.  So, we can appreciate why these birds find their choice habitats not in our backyards. Cheryl: Exploiters          Exploiters are species that thrive in our presence, often coevolving with humans and rarely occurring where people do not exist.  Birds such as the American Crow, Northern Mockingbird, Barn Swallows, Barn Owls, Mallards, Canada goose, house finches, and house wrens, house sparrows, European Starling, our beloved lovebirds, and pigeons (Rock Doves).  I was surprised by some of the birds on the list.  These birds move into the niches vacated by those birds who find themselves more of an avoider.  A few of these birds' humans are responsible for introducing into the urban areas they are thriving in.  Each species soars in abundance as soon as clearing begins and increases over time.  Most of these species are not present in forested areas in large numbers.  The ability of these species to capitalize on the lawns, lakes, and nesting niches created in built environments likely explains their success.  Kiersten: Adapters          “Adapters are mostly native species that thrive on natural, young, open shrubby, and dissected habitats.” (Quote from Welcome to Subirdia,) An interesting description of our neighborhoods and backyards.  Adapters find and adjust to situations in our cities, urban, or suburban areas even if the natural habitat is man made.  This is the largest group of birds, which is encouraging, but these birds decline when the areas grow too close to forested habitats, or yards become overgrown, or trees too mature.  Birds like Anna's hummingbird, White-crowned sparrow, American goldfinches, Lesser goldfinch, Song sparrows, rock wrens, Curve-billed thrasher, Killdeer, and the Yellow-rumped warbler are all birds that adapt to human changes in their habitat as long as the changes are within reason. Kiersten:  Why is this information important you ask.          It is important to know how birds are adapting or not adapting to human activity so that we may better understand how we may improve our living spaces so that we make room for birds to live, too.  Birds can move from one category to another for example: a bird could be an adapter until the stresses of human activity pushes it to be an avoider, or it could move from adapter to being an exploiter, like the Northern Mockingbird it all depends on how a particular species handles what humans do to their habitats.          Cheryl: Closing          It is not surprising that birds can handle many of the challenges of living people, given that they have wings to propel them away from humans, if need be, and they are linked to dinosaurs, adding their engaging personalities, flexible behaviors, and short generation times, all these things help birds to succeed in even the toughest parts of our human-dominated world.           We are capable of applying this knowledge to our backyard living spaces, parks and recreation areas, and make the adjustments necessary to support the bird life that is present now, and to build toward greater diversity in the future.        

The Umatilla Chemical Depot in Oregon, a landscape dotted with a thousand concrete bunkers, may not look like an ideal haven for birds.  But the site has taken on a new life — as a luxury subdivision for Burrowing Owls. That's thanks in part to David H. Johnson, the founder of the Global Owl Project, who helped create Burrowing Owl “condos” by burying plastic buckets at the site. More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.

Did you know Burrowing Owls raise their young in underground tunnels? In today's episode, we talk about the fascinating Burrowing Owl with Brittany Piersma, a field biologist with the Audubon of the Western Everglades. Brittany is conducting important research of the Burrowing Owl on Marco Island in Florida. She also helps to run the Owl Watch Program, Seabird Stewardship Program and the Gopher Tortoise Program. Go to the Owl Watch Program at https://www.audubonwe.org/about-1-1. Learn more about the Starter Burrow Program at https://www.audubon.org/news/where-burrowing-owls-are-your-neighbors. Go to the Seabird Stewardship Program at https://www.audubonwe.org/about-1. Go to the Gopher Tortoise Program at https://www.audubonwe.org/copy-of-owl-watch. Go to Conservation Collier at https://www.colliercountyfl.gov/government/public-services/divisions/conservation-collier?locale=ht. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backyard. Access the BIRD HUGGER Newsletter here: www.birdhuggerpodcast.com. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to birdhuggerpodcast@gmail.com. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.

One of our coolest and easily overlooked creature on the island is the burrowing owl.  Folks come to the island specifically to find them.  In this episode you'll get some pointers on how to find them and some tips on enjoying them responsibly.Thanks to Jessica from Hawkwatch International for helping answer some of my questions.  Find info on the good work they're doing at hawkwatch.org.

Summary: Join Cheryl and Kiersten as they continue their discussion of the owls found in Arizona.   For our hearing impaired listeners, a transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean.   Show Notes: www.avibirds.com/owls-of-arizona/   www.a-z-animals.com/blog/true-owls-vs-barn-owls-what-are-the-diffrences/   Owling: Enter the World of the Mysterious Birds of the Night, by Mark Wilson   Liberty Wildlife: (480)998-5550 2600 E Elmwood St. Phoenix, AZ 85040 https://Libertywildlife.org Background bird song:  Naturescapes Backyard Birds www.naturescapes.com Our email address, please reach out with comments, questions, or suggestions: thefeathereddesert@gmail.com   Transcript   Host Voice: Welcome to The Feathered Desert a podcast all about desert bird feeding in the Southwest region of the United States. (Various bird calls play)   Cheryl: Intro-Welcome to Owls of Arizona part two.  So, it does bears repeating that Arizona with it diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife is home to 13 different species of owl.  In part one we covered only four owls, and we are going to cover the other nine in this podcast, and Kiersten has our first one.   Kiersten: Western Screech Owl A well camouflaged owl with large ear tufts and streaked plumage in a variety of brown or gray.  They are about 7-10 inches in height.  These owls weigh about 3.5-10.8 ounces and have a wingspan 21-25 inches across.  Western Screech Owls occur all across the western states in U.S., and their range extends down into Central America.  They live in forests, open woodlands, deserts, shrublands, and open fields in the countryside.  You may find them in your local park.  They nest in tree holes and in cacti in desert regions.  These non-migratory owls will often reuse nest sites for years.  Western Screech Owls are active from dusk, through the night, into the dawn.  They are opportunistic predators; if they can catch it- they will eat it, but their prey is mainly rodents, birds, and insects.  Deforestation and development are threatening the habitats for these owls.  These owls have a whistling call and a high-pitched screech.  The song of the Western Screech Owl is a series of descending hoots.   Cheryl: Northern Saw-Whet Owl The Northern Saw-Whet owl is one of the smallest and most adorable owls on the continent.  It has a large round head and a compact body.  Its plumage is a rich brown with small white spots on the upper parts and blotchy white streaks below.  The facial disc is paler brown, and it has a white Y-shape from the brows to the bill, between its huge yellow eyes.  This owl is 7-9 inches in height.  It weighs 2.2-5.4 ounces and the wingspan is 17-22 inches across. They inhabit coniferous forests.  During the winter, they also take to deciduous or mixed woodlands.  They nest in tree holes excavated by woodpeckers or in the old nests of other birds.  They are nocturnal owls with exceptional hearing, and can detect prey purely by sound.  Their diet consists mainly of rodents, but will prey on small birds, bats, amphibians, and insects.  May cache mice for the winter. Although, fairly common these owls are hard to spot.  In Arizona, they are more numerous in the winter months as northern populations migrate south.  Listen for their call it is a whistly repetitive toots.   Kiersten: Long -Eared owl The Long-eared owl is named for its prominent ear tufts.  It has a dark, patterned plumage which is a mix of brown, gray and buff.  The underparts are buff with dark brown streaks.  Its facial disc is buff with white in the middle.  It has orange-yellow eyes and a grayish-black bill.  Long-eared owls have a wide distribution across the continent.  Arizona lies within their breeding range.  These owls inhabit forests and woodlands near densely vegetated open areas such as grasslands and shrublands.  They have adapted to semi desert environments where they hunt across dry, open landscapes.   Prey animals for these owls includes cottontail rabbits, red squirrels, bats, small birds, and snakes. In Arizona, you may see these owls nesting in forks or cavities of Saguaro cacti.  This is a shy elusive owl and is not easy to spot.  It is often misidentified as a Great Horned Owl due to the ear tufts.  The National Audubon Society believes this owl is undercounted in its national Christmas bird counts.  Populations of this species of owl are in decline due to habitat loss. Long-eared owls have a wide range of vocalizations that vary by region.  The long-eared owl is silent during the winter but often roost communally, making them easier to spot despite their excellent camouflage.  These owls will also roost on the ground. In Arizona, Long-eared owls may show-up in mass when there are irruptions of mice.   Cheryl: Short-eared Owl Now I put this owl back-to-back with the Long-eared owl because they are often misidentified as each other.  So, the short-eared owl is a medium-size owl about 15-17 inches in height.  It weighs approx. a 1.5 lb. and the wingspan is 38-44 inches across.  It has a rounded head with small ear tufts, hence the name.  Its feathers are mottled brown, buff, and white above and buff below with dark streaks on the breast.  The face is white in the center, with a brown facial disc edged with a pale rim. It's piercing yellow eyes are encircled by dark eye patches.  (Long-eared owls have rusty-orange feathering round the eyes.) These owls occur all across North America, with the majority of the population breeding in the north and migrating south for the winter.  So, in Arizona it would be the winter months that we would have an opportunity to see them. Short-eared owls inhabit large, sparsely vegetated open areas.  They nest on the ground, partially concealed amidst low vegetation.  Unlike other owls, short-eared owls build their own nests.  The female constructs a bowl-shaped nest using grasses, weeds and feathers.  These owls sometimes roost in groups, and on occasion will roost in trees with Long-eared owls. Short-eared owls eat mostly rodents, especially voles, rats and mice.  They also take birds and nestlings.  These owls breed up in the arctic so the birds they prey on are shorebirds and gulls with the occasional crow thrown in. These owls are on the decline mainly due to habitat loss.  Look for them in open fields and grasslands around dawn and dusk in the winter.  Unlike the Long-eared owl, the short-eared owl hunts during the day on the ground or flying low to the ground.  They have a floppy bat-like flight.  The short-eared owl is mostly silent in the winter.  Their common call is a raspy bark.   Kiersten:  Northern Pygmy owl The Northern pygmy owl Is a small, plump owl with a large, round head and a fairly long tail.  It is brown above with white spots and white below with dark brown streaks. As with other pygmy owls, it has eye-spots on the back of the neck which may function to deter predators attacking from behind.  This owl has feathered legs down to the toes.  It is 6-7 inches in height.  It weighs 2.1-2.5 ounces and has a wingspan of 12-15 inches across.  This owl has one of the shortest life spans of just 3 years whether in captivity or not. They are found all across north America and inhabit forest and woodlands.  They nest in tree holes, often excavated by woodpeckers.  Pygmy owls are diurnal, but also hunt at dawn and dusk.  They eat small birds, mammals and insects.  Northern Pygmy Owl is a fierce hunter known to often kill birds and rodents larger than themselves. These owls are prevalent in the eastern part of Arizona, and since they are active during the day that makes them easier to spot then most owls.  Still these owls largely go unnoticed.  Northern Pygmy Owl migrates in some regions from the higher to the lower elevations in the winter. The call of the Northern Pygmy Owl is a high-pitched trill or a one note toot.   Cheryl: Elf Owl This tiny raptor is the smallest member of its family in the world.  It is a small sparrow-sized owl.  The plumage of the elf owl is patterned gray-brown and white.  It has a buff-colored face and large, yellow eyes.  Females are more rusty-red in color, and the males are grayer. Elf Owls are nocturnal and mainly insectivorous, feeding on insects and other invertebrates.  Their prey includes moths, beetles, crickets, and arachnids like scorpions.  They may occasionally take a lizard or a small vertebrate animal.  Many Elf Owls breed in the southwestern U.S. then migrate south to Mexico for the winter where sedentary populations reside.  Elf owls is comfortable in diverse habitats, including mesquite and paloverde trees along desert washes, mountain pine-oak forests, oak forests, and forests along river and canyon bottoms.  They nest in tree holes of hardwoods and often in the Saguaro cacti.  Look for them in our desert around dusk.  Their voice is loud, and their call a high-pitched whiny or throaty chuckle, or a variety of barks, squeaks and whistles.   Kiersten: Burrowing Owl The Burrowing Owl is an owl we have talked about before in an earlier podcast titled” Burrowing Owls”.  The Burrowing Owl is a small, spotted owl with long gray legs.  Its feathers are brown above and pale below with brown streaks.  It has large yellow eyes, hooded by thick, pale brows. The height of this owl is 7-11 inches, its weight is 4.8-8.5 ounces.  It has a wingspan of 20-24 inches across.  Burrowing Owls are different from other raptors because males and females are the same size. Although, they have a wide, variable diet, they mainly prey on insects and rodents. These owls hunt at night and during the day.  Females mostly hunt insects during the day whereas males hunt more at night and catch small animals.  Most Burrowing Owls are sedentary, in their range but those owls that breed in the northern parts of their regions will migrate south during the winter.  They inhabit open grasslands, prairie, and other open areas of golf courses, farm fields, airports, and housing developments.  These owls' nest and roost in burrows usually made by prairie dogs or ground squirrels, or other burrowing mammals. This owl has a defensive strategy to mimic the behavior of rattlesnake's rattling tail.  Burrowing Owls make a rattling or hissing noise to ward off potential threats.  These owls are endangered due to habitat loss and decline of burrowing mammals.  They are often killed by cars and people's pet-cats and dogs.  Burrowing Owls are often active during the day and are fairly tolerant of human presence.  This owl has a large range of smooth-sounding musical notes.   Cheryl: Spotted owl The Mexican spotted Owl is medium-size forest owl.  Its height is 18-19 inches and its weight is 1.1-1.7 lbs.  Its wingspan is 42-45inches across.  This medium-size owl has dark eyes set in a large rounded head with no ear tufts.  It has dark brown feathers with white spots.  The spots on the underparts are oblong, giving it a Barred owl appearance. It has a prominent white x-shape on the face against the brown facial disc.  That being stated there are three subspecies of the Spotted owl: the Northwest Spotted Owl, the California Spotted Owl, and the Mexican Spotted Owl.  The Mexican Spotted Owl is the palest of the three in color.  It is also the one only that calls Arizona home. It must be noted that although the Mexican Spotted owls looks like the Barred owl in appearance the Spotted owl will not be found in any area near barred owls.  Barred owls are highly competitive with Spotted owls.  Barred owls will hunt the Spotted Owl. In Arizona, the Mexican Spotted Owl may be found in Pinyon Pine woodlands and canyons.  They nest in tree holes, abandoned nests of other birds, cliffs and ledges.  These owls hunt mostly at night and occasionally during the day.  They are essentially ambush predators, and typically hunt from a perch, where they wait for prey to draw close enough to launch a surprise attack.  Their prey is mainly woodrats, squirrels, bats, birds, reptiles, insects and amphibians.  Populations of Mexican spotted Owls are in decline due to destruction of habitat due to drought, development and wildfires.  These owls don't dissipate body heat very well so they prefer the cooler temps of southeastern mountain ranges in Arizona.  These owls are classified as threatened.  The Mexican Spotted owl may be tricky to find visually.  Listen for its three-part hoot.   Kiersten: Ferruginous Pygmy Owl The Ferruginous Pygmy owl is critically endangered in the United States and is protected under the Endangered Species Act.  This owl is threatened by habitat loss of Saguaro Cacti.  The eradication of Arizona's cottonwood groves and contiguous Saguaro stands, plus wildfires, drought, and the wall at the state border with Mexico. A small, round-headed owl with a streaked crown.  It has the false eye spots that all pygmy owls display.  The owl has yellow eyes with black pupils.  The tail is banded with rusty-red bars.  It stands about 6-7 inches in height and weighs 1.6-5.6 ounces.  It has a wingspan of 12 inches across. These little owls nest almost exclusively in Saguaro cacti cavities.  They can be found in the Sonoran Desert region among their favorite cacti.  They have a woodpecker -like undulating flight pattern and can be spotted during the day as well as at dawn and dusk. Their prey consists of mice, small birds, scorpions, moths, crickets and grasshoppers. In 2006 researchers documented only 26 individual owls in the wild in the state of Arizona.  Wild at Heart a non-profit group, began a reintroduction program in 2016. Their vocalizing is kept to a minimum to not draw attention to their location. So, others small birds won't mob them and drive them away.  Their call is a quick series of whistled toots. Cheryl: Spotting Owls Spotting owls can be tricky since most species are not active during the day.  Owls by nature are shy and elusive creatures.  Here ae some tips: The best time to see an owl is during the day.  The best time to hear an owl is at night. Learn about the species of owls in the area you are looking. Listen -familiarize yourself with the vocalizations of the different owls in your area.  Actively listen when you are out at night.  You will most likely hear an owl before you see it. Look for signs of owls like their pellets or white washing on trees. Be respectful- Be still and silent and refrain from using bright lights, so as not to disturb or frighten them away. Who knew Owls were so Cool?  Who, who the owls knew.  

The ABA is gearing up to announce its 2023 Bird of the Year but we're not ready to say good-bye to the year of the Burrowing Owl just yet. With that in mind, we welcome Colleen Wisinski and Susanne Marczak of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance's Burrowing Owl Recovery Program to talk about their efforts to protect the local population of Burrowing Owls and what they've learned about the species in doing so. Also, Nate is back from a great Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival. Subscribe to the podcast at Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, and Google Podcasts, and please leave a rating or a review if you are so inclined! We appreciate it!

Summary: Did you know that Arizona is home to 13 different species of owls? Join Cheryl and Kiersten as they talk about these amazing feathered residents.   For our hearing impaired listeners, a transcript of this podcast follows the show notes.   Show Notes: www.avibirds.com/owls-of-arizona/ www.a-z-animals.com/blog/true-owls-vs-barn-owls-what-are-the-diffrences/ Owling: Enter the World of the Mysterious Birds of the Night, by Mark Wilson   Liberty Wildlife: (480)998-5550 2600 E Elmwood St. Phoenix, AZ 85040 https://Libertywildlife.org Background bird song:  Naturescapes Backyard Birds www.naturescapes.com Our email address, please reach out with comments, questions, or suggestions: thefeathereddesert@gmail.com   Transcript   Host Voice: Welcome to The Feathered Desert a podcast all about desert bird feeding in the Southwest region of the United States. (Various bird calls play)   Cheryl-Intro:  Welcome to The Feathered Desert! Arizona is a haven for birdlife.  It is a state with a multitude of diverse landscapes that range from deserts to conifer forests, to incredibly very different types of landscaped mountain ranges.  It has breathtaking canyons, riparian areas with cottonwoods and willows very much untouched by man.  This landscape diversity supports a very diverse selection of birdlife including (are you ready) thirteen different owls. I was floored! I thought maybe six species but no it's thirteen. That's why it's in two parts.   Kiersten: Few general facts: Owls live in a variety of habitats.  For every type of bird habitat there is an owl that fits into it. Owls are nocturnal raptors, specialized for hunting in the dark, and are equipped with excellent night vision; but there are a few owls that are active during the day. There is always an exception to the rule! To be more specific: Diurnal-by definition diurnal means happening or active during the daytime.  Animals that are diurnal are usually awake and active during the daytime. Burrowing Owls, Short-eared Owls, Snowy Owls Crepuscular-cre-pus-cu-lar: means relating to twilight, referring to animals that are active in the twilight—active at dawn and dusk.  A few of our owls that do that are Northern Pygmy Owl and Ferrugious Pygmy Owl Nocturnal-done, occurring, or active at night. Northern Saw-whet Owl, Barn Owl, Boreal Owl One of my favorite things about owl is that they all have specialized feathers for silent flight.  That mean you will not hear them ehThat being said: the tiny Elf owl is the nosiest when in flight.  That is saying quite a lot. You'll probably just barely hear him as he flies overhead. Which is interesting because it hunts insects, and some insects can hear. It begs the question of why this owl evolved to be a little bit louder than other owls but is so small.   Cheryl: I don't know but I thought it was interesting!   Kiersten: Like most birds, owls have 4 toes on each foot.  2 toes point forward and 2 toes point backward.  However, owls have a special ability -they can swing one of their back toes to the front.  Helps it to grip wiggling prey.  Ospreys, woodpeckers, and parrots can do this as well. Owls have good spatial memory, probably better than us, for sure better than me!   (Cheryl and Kiersten both laugh)   Kiersten:   Owls carry detailed mental maps of their surroundings.  This helps an owl remember where things are and where they left things. Which is super important!   Cheryl: It is because they store food! Who knew?   Kiersten: Yeah! There are 19 species of owls that breed and nest in the United States and Canada.  13 of these species may be found in Arizona!   Cheryl:  So, Owls are split into two family groups. Every time I do research for a podcast I learn so much that I didn't know! The first group is Strigidae-which are true owls and the Tytonidae-the Barn Owls. True Owls VS Barn Owls some of the differences are Physical Appearance:  Many true owl species have ear tufts on their heads covered in feathers.  They have large heads, round facial discs around their eyes.  They have yellow or orange eyes. Barn Owls have a great heart-shaped facial disc.  Presence of long strong legs with powerful talons. Dark eyes and the absence of ear tufts. They have ears but not tufts. Calls:  True owls make hooting calls.  Barn owls don't hoot, rather they make eerie-sounding screams. Habitats:  True owls are found worldwide except in Antarctica. Barn Owls occur everywhere except in the cold temperate, and Arctic regions.  They prefer open places and live away from humans. Kiersten: They are found on every continent!   Cheryl: Behavior:  True owls exhibit nocturnal behaviors and have specialized morphology for their wings. Barn Owls are nocturnal birds. Color:  they have brown or gray vertical markings, and their underbellies are usually white. Barn owls are usually an orange-black color.  Their breasts are white. Hunting Styles:  True Owls are mostly seen by people as tame since they show no movement unless you  are very close to them.  They are ambush predators. Although they are elusive they are relatively not shy towards people.   Kiersten: Yes, but were not saying for you to go up to one because they are not tame! They are just good at their jobs which is to be calm and still and ambush prey or fly away.   Cheryl: Right! Barn Owls are opportunistic hunters.  They fly in open areas gliding across the low grasses locating prey by sound. Lifespan: Ture Owls lifespans very depending on the species, on average these owls have longer lifespans than Barn Owls.  Barn Owls live 5-10 years and that is being generous. They can live longer in captivity.   Kiersten:  The Great Horned Owl- Great Horned Owl is Arizona's largest and most widespread owl.  Known as the “Tiger of the Sky”, the Great Horned Owl is probably the most familiar to our listeners of all the Arizona owls.  We both have them in our yards. This owl has mottled grayish-brown feathers on its wings, head, and body. It has pale cream to white underneath with brown barring, and it has a reddish-brown to gray facial feathers, and a white throat patch. This will all be hard to see in the dark but if you catch them in a flashlight or see them in a tree during the day you might get to see the colors better. Great Horned Owls have long feathers covering their legs and feet. Great horned owls are 17-25 inches in height.   Average weight of an adult is 2.6 – 3.5 lbs.  The females will be larger and heavier. The wingspan of this raptor is on average 3-5 feet across. That's a nice wingspan!   Cheryl: That's also pretty heavy for an owl!   Kiersten: Yep! Great Horned Owls are highly adaptable birds with an incredibly diverse diet comprising of over 200 species of mammals, and 300 species of birds, invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians and fish.   Why pick just one thing when you have all this stuff to eat? Why not just eat it all   Cheryl: (laughs) I don't think we missed anything on that list!   Kiersten: The favorite meal of these birds are skunks.  I mean…yeah?   (Both co-hosts laugh)   Cheryl: Well skunks are cute.   Kiersten: They are cute! And the owls keep their population in check. The Great Horned Owl is the only owl to regularly eat skunk. I think they may not have to best sense of smell, if they don't mind eating skunk!   Cheryl: (laughs)   Kiersten: Great Horned Owls do migrate.  They live in their territory their whole lives.  Historically, they were once intensively hunted.  Their feathers a really beautiful and there is always the myth that they eat your sheep, which is completely false. They are not s bog enough bird to do that. But now the biggest threat is indirect poisoning by harmful rodenticides. Which is a terrible shame! For more information on that, please, reference our Rodenticide: A Deadly Decision podcast. Fun Fact:  Great Horned Owls will defend their nests fiercely by hooting, hissing, grunting, and screaming. It is quite terrifying to see! You don't want to encounter this!   Cheryl: They really do impress me. Every time I encounter one or watch them on a webcam.   Kiersten: They really are impressive. These are the ones that have that wise look on theor faces. The one that the phrase wise old owl comes from but…they are not wise. They're great at being owls bt not great problem solvers!   Cheryl: (laughs)   Kiersten: One other thing about the Great Horned Owl. They are definitely one of the owl that have ear tufts. We are not exactly sure why they have ear tufts. Some scientists say it's for checking the changing wind, or they are used to make decisions on the wing but we not entirely sure what they are for. But the tufts are just feathers not ears. They have ears but the feathers that stick up are not their ears.   Cheryl: Sometime I think it's for communication between owls because they can flatten them or hold them up straight. They do things with them if you ever have the opportunity to watch them.   Kiersten: That's a good thought! Owls are solitary hunters, so they could potentially hurt another owl. I don't necessary want to cozy up to my neighbor that might kill me! So maybe they are used to communicate from a distance.   Cheryl :  And with eye color. All 19 different owl species have a different eye color and scientist don't know why! Mabe it's for communication as well.   Kiersten: Maybe!   Cheryl: Barn Owl The Barn Owl is an unusual beauty.  It is a medium sized owl with a heart-shaped face and a characteristic pale speckled plumage.  The upperparts are rusty brown with dark patches.  The face and underparts range from cream to white.  It has slender, feathered legs and long broad wings that enable sharp, agile movements.  This owl is 13-15 inches in height.  It weighs about 1 -1.5 lbs.    Kiersten: The female is definitely a bit bigger. The females need more weight to incubate eggs and more skeletal width to lay eggs, but of all the raptors they have the least difference between male and female.   Cheryl:  Barn Owls wingspan is 31-37 inches across.  Barn Owls occur in the open grasslands, farmlands, open meadows in woodlands and woodland edges. They are nocturnal.  Barn Owls roost or nest in old buildings, barns, silos, steeples, sheds, mine and well shafts, tree cavities, caves and stacks of baled hay.   It is an unmissable bird.  Look out for a flash of white in the open country at night.  Barn Owls has an undulating flight pattern.  They hunt by gliding low above the ground using sight and sound to locate prey.  Barn Owls have asymmetric ears which means one ear is a little higher than the eyes while the opposite one sits a little lower than the eyes.  This helps Barn owls to quickly and accurately locate faint sounds.  The sounds strike each ear at slightly different times. One Barn Owl will eat 8 mice/voles a night.   That's 2,920 rodents a year.     Kiersten: That's good rodent control, right there!   Cheryl: Barn owls have been known to stockpile prey animals, especially, during nesting season.  Barn Owls are typically solitary birds but will live in pairs.  Barn owls are non-violent, altruistic and family-oriented birds.  Barn Owl siblings care for one another while they are together. Barn owls often are the victims of vehicle collisions, but their greatest threat is indirect poisoning by harmful rodenticides. Kiersten:  This is the Flammulated Owl   Cheryl: I'm gla you said that word!   Kiersten: It's not a pretty word. (laughs)   Cheryl: I don't know who names these birds!   Kiersten: they could have picked a prettier word, for sure! This little owl has flame-like markings on its wings, for which it is named.  However, grayer variants lack this feature.  Its plumage is a mix of dark brown, gray, buff, and white providing the perfect camouflage.  It has large, dark eyes, and small ear tufts that are often held flat against the head.  It is 6-7 inches in height.  Weighs about 1.5-2 ounces and has a wingspan of 14-16 inches across.  Flammulated Owls are migratory.  Wintering here in Arizona from September-March.  Flammulated Owls can be found in Arizona's old Ponderosa Pine forests, Douglas Fir, and mixed conifer forests, and in amongst the Aspen trees at higher elevations.   Flammulated owls are considered the most abundant of the forest dwelling owls in Arizona.   These owls are heavily dependent on mature forests.  Habitat loss and rodenticides are the greatest threats to these owls.it vocalizes with twittery noises, mews, and in hoots.  Smaller than the Western Screech Owl this little owl often roosts in old woodpecker or sapsucker holes.  Flammulated owl eats insect like grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, spiders, ants I can't believe they eat ants, that seems like a lot of work for such a small reward, dragonflies, and moths. Probably one of their favorite is those big, fat moths in the silk moth family. That would tide you or for days.   Cheryl: I was surprised at what insects they eat because they are nocturnal. The dragonflies.   Kiersten: Dragonflies might be easier to catch at night though because they'll be stationary.   Cheryl: I don't know how they do it!   Kiersten: Me neither but they always seem to know what they are doing!   Cheryl:  Whiskered Screech Owl I think this one is so cute. I remember watching a video of one and thinking how cute he was and then it snatched a hummingbird! Then I thought he's not so cute anyone!   Kiersten: (laughs) Predators always do that to us!   Cheryl: (laughs) The Whiskered Screech Owl is named for the wispy bristles at the base of their beak.  It is a small owl with streaked plumage and a rounded head with short ear tufts.  There is a gray morph and rufous colored morph.  It has golden- yellow eyes and a yellow-green bill.   I also found it interesting that owl beaks can be different colors! Its height is 6-8 inches, and it weighs 2.4-4.2 ounces.  This owl's wingspan is 16-20 inches across. These owls inhabit southeastern Arizona in the dense oak woodlands and mountains forests of the Madrean Sky Island Mountain Range.  The very southeastern tip of Arizona.  They are active from dusk through the night.  They mainly prey on arthropods, including locusts, grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, moths, caterpillars, centipedes, spiders and scorpions. I always like a bird that can catch a scorpion! They occasionally hunt small mammals and small birds.  Your best chance to look for Whiskered Screech owl is in the Sycamore groves alongside canyons in the popular birding area of Madera Canyon.  Listen for the evenly spaced boo-hoots of the small owls.   That's just four of the thirteen owls we have in Arizona. Part two is coming soon! Please I would just like to remind everyone that the Phoenix Valley is home to a great raptor rehab facility.  Liberty Wildlife offers rehabilitation to injured raptors such as the owls here in Arizona.  So, if you would like a close -up with an owl you may visit their education center for a tour.  If you find an injured owl please keep visual contact with the injured bird, and call Liberty Wildlife.  A volunteer will come out and rescue the bird.  We will include Liberty Wildlife's contact information in our show notes. Stay tuned for part two coming in the near future!

On this date, in 1965, a newspaper article reported the main characteristics of burrowing owls, noting that they are among the “few bird species to nest in burrows in the ground.”

The Fina Mendoza Mysteries follow the adventures of the 10-year-old daughter of a congressman, investigating mysterious animals in the U.S. Capitol. In Episode 16, Fina's investigation takes her to the National Zoo where she finds out more about the Burrowing Owls. But Fina's client Monica suffers a major setback. Want to know the Facts Behind the Fiction in this episode? This week, we explain Congressional Subpeonas. The Fina Mendoza Mysteries are written and produced by Kitty Felde. Our cast includes: Amy Solano - Fina Mendoza Steven Cuevas - Congressman Arturo Mendoza Linda Graves - Claudia Elizabeth Logun - Bird Lady Tamika Katon Donegal - Monica Steve Devorkin - Senator Something Andrea Felix-Cervantes is our stage manager. Our music is written and performed by Andrew Barkan, and our logo designer is Imelda Hinojosa. Season 2 of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries podcast is based on the book State of the Union, by Kitty Felde, published by Chesapeake Press. You can get an autographed copy of State of the Union, at the website Chesapeakepress.org. That's also where you can find out more about the cast and crew of The Fina Mendoza Mysteries and a free download of the 56-page Teacher's Guide to the book and the podcast just by signing up for our newsletter. Every week, that newsletter includes the facts behind the fiction in the Fina Mendoza Mysteries.

Summary: Owls in the city?! Did you know that we have Burrowing owls living right here in Phoenix? Join Cheryl and Kiersten as they tell you all about them!   Show Notes: Background bird song:  Naturescapes Backyard Birdswww.naturescapes.com Our New email address, please reach out with comments, questions, or suggestions: thefeathereddesert@gmail.com https://riosalado.audubon.org/downtown-owls-0 https://www.desertusa.com/birds/burrowing-owls-rescue.html https://www.azgfd.com/wildlife/speciesofgreatestconservneed/raptor-management/burrowing-owl-management/ https://az.audubon.org/conservation/downtown-owls   We are no longer sponsored by Wild Birds Unlimited, Mesa but through personal experience we highly recommend their products. 

Despite its name, the Burrowing Owl doesn't do much digging. It's better known for its hair-raising hiss, which may have evolved to mimic the warning of a cornered rattlesnake. The sonic threat of a venomous reptile could be just enough to warn away most unwanted visitors from the owl's nest burrow. In one experiment, ground squirrels were nearly as alarmed by the Burrowing Owl's hiss as they were by the recording of a real rattlesnake!More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.

Burrowing owls have suffered from human development changing their habitat. A group of researchers have studied the relocation of these birds and have interesting insights on how to successfully find them new places to live.

Some new happenings are unfolding in the local fitness community. Also, with housing in high demand across Arizona, bird groups are rescuing more burrowing owls as development continues to destroy their habitat. Support the show: https://www.myheraldreview.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it comes to being recruited by your target college soccer program, having a framework to follow, you can get started as early as 8th grade. We chatted with Recruit Fluency's Eliott Mark about the education parents need to have their children recruited and what red flags parents need to look for in various recruiting programs. About Elliot Mark  For over 20 years Elliot has been a noteworthy leader both on and off the field, a top Division I athlete and coach. Now Elliot is using his experience in sales and marketing to help young athletes find the college of their dreams. You may know him from his work at SoccerLAB but Elliot can also be credited with contributions to youth sports organizations and special needs programs throughout the country. Elliot spent 2006-2010 as the 1st Assistant & Head of National & International Recruitment at Florida Atlantic University. He helped guide the Burrowing Owls to an Atlantic Soccer Conference Championship. He holds a BA in Psychology from Lehigh University where he was a Regional All-American Center Back & two-year Captain for the Men's Soccer Program. Additionally, Elliot holds an NSCAA National Coaching Diploma and Goalkeeping Diploma, with a continuing education certificate from Columbia University.

Responsible Recreation was a thing long before COVID-19 messaging.  I'm going over some not-so-common considerations for safely and responsibly visiting Antelope Island.

“So there are two important days in your life, the day that you're born, and the day you find out why. I know why I was born, for the owls. So I'm going to work with owls until my very last breath.” - David JohnsonDavid is founder of the Global Owl Project to protect endangered owl species all over the world. And one lucky owl species that's been David's main focus for these past 12 years is the little burrowing owl. A burrowing owl reaches only six inches in height and weighs less than half a pound. And as you might guess, these tiny owls live underground. But a curious domino effect has caused a worrying and widespread loss of their subterranean homes. So David is on a rescue mission to save the burrowing owl.This rescue mission involves some chemical weapons, an old military base, and a very large plunger.It's a story about one man's love affair with a mysterious little creature, and the things they've taught him about what they need to survive.The WILD is a joint production of myself and KUOW Public Radio. One way to support this vital work and become part of THE WILD community is through small monthly contributions to my wildlife organization, Chris Morgan Wildlife. You can find more information at Patreon. Thank you!Follow us on Instagram @thewildpod and @chrismorganwildlife 

You can follow Walter on INSTAGRAM@ Wpotrebka_photography and check out his website at www. wpotrebkaphotography.com A big thank you to Walter for taking the time to share his experience and talent on this podcast. 

Last month the ABA officially announced the 2022 ABA Bird of the Year, which is Burrowing Owl! The excitement over the owl is, no doubt, helped along by the exceptional artwork of our Bird of the Year artist, Christina Baal, whose colorful and personable style seems to fit this species like an owl nestled in a subterranean PVC pipe. She's with host Nate Swick to talk about Burrowing Owls, inspiration, and art. Plus, send us your Burrowing Owl stories, like the one Nate shares this week.  This episode is brought to you by Buteo Books.  Subscribe to the podcast at Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, and Google Podcasts, and please leave a rating or a review if you are so inclined! We appreciate it!

We're at the end of the month and the end of 2021. So it's time for the This Month in Birding panel. We bring back some of our birding friends from the year that was in the form of The Birdist Nick Lund, Bird Sh*t's Mo Stych, and Portland Audubon's Brodie Cass Talbott. We talk about the brand new ABA Bird of the Year, Burrowing Owls and rats, cursing crows, and our best and worst birding holiday gifts.  Links to articles discussed in this episode: Burrowing Owl is the 2022 ABA Bird of the Year! Farallon Islands Mouse Eradication Plan Splits Community Foul-mouth Crow Befriends Elementary School Good Bird Conservation News from Audubon Colorado Ranch saves farm by betting on rare birds Subscribe to the podcast at Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, and Google Podcasts, and please leave a rating or a review if you are so inclined! We appreciate it!

We catch up on Christmas Bird Counts, some Swifty talk, landfill birding, and how with experience, identification becomes recognition, just like finding a good friend in a crowded room. George also recounts the American Birding Association's Bird of the Year Reveal Party — welcome, year of the Burrowing Owl! — and more on owls, including vocal evidence to separate the burrowing owl into species and how owls decorate their nests. And a Steller's Ja-- no wait, Eagle! continues to make dramatic appearances around the continent, spurring George and Al to recount their experiences with these massive eagles in Japan. Plus, we offer a few last-minute Christmas gift ideas, including gifts for kids who are interested in birding. Highlight bird species: A few accipiters and falcons; Steller's Sea Eagles; and of course, Burrowing Owls!Locations mentioned: Hokkaido, Japan; Philly; various Christmas Bird Count locationsDon't miss out: on ABA's field guides to California and Pennsylvania Send your topic ideas to lifelistpodcast@gmail.com

Beneath the rolling grasslands of Badlands National Park lies an intricate housing system and social network. Black-tailed prairie dogs pop in and out of their burrows in the prairie dog towns, chattering and gesturing. But amid all the prairie dogs, if you're a keen observer, you may also notice what appears to be a small owl emerging from the burrows. These species – the black-tailed prairie dog and the burrowing owl - have a unique type of symbiotic relationship, and ultimately may experience a shared demise. 

In this episode Brandy and Maria go looking for Burrowing Owls

Tucson Electric Power 2020 Spotlight Series, Episode 4,  Each year, Tucson Electric Power, recognizes local businesses, organizations and individuals that partner with them to preserve the environment and promote sustainability. These are forward-thinking partners who are creative and effective in their approaches to promoting greater sustainability in the Tucson community. We are spotlighting the 2020 […]

Guy talks to CDFW Biologists Craig Fiehler and Evan King. Discussions include endemic game and non game animals, birds and plants as well as non native animals and plants . Animals discussed include, Tule Elk, Rocky Mountain Elk, Mule Deer, Mountain Lion, Black Bear, Kit Fox, Giant Kangaroo Rats, Pronghorn Antelope, Porcupine, Burrowing Owls, Blunt Nose Leopard Lizard, Swainson Hawk, Coyotes, Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles, San Joaquin Antelope Squirrel and Nutria. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/guy-jeans/support

Guy talks to CDFW Biologists Craig Fiehler and Evan King. Discussions include endemic game and non game animals, birds and plants as well as non native animals and plants . Animals discussed include, Tule Elk, Rocky Mountain Elk, Mule Deer, Mountain Lion, Black Bear, Kit Fox, Giant Kangaroo Rats, Pronghorn Antelope, Porcupine, Burrowing Owls, Blunt Nose Leopard Lizard, Swainson Hawk, Coyotes, Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles, San Joaquin Antelope Squirrel and Nutria. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/guy-jeans/support

In this episode, I talk to Ray Deeney. After retiring as an attorney who specialized in mental health issues, Ray now leads and participates in various bird counts, field trips and citizen science projects. Ray talks about telegraph poles in bird guides, growing up with canaries and shares some information on the Burrowing Owl.

Episode Notes What do Burrowing Owls and Blue-throated Macaws have in common? Their habitat. Rachel takes us on a tour of the parrots, cockatoos, lovebirds, and parakeets that thrive in Australia, American, and African grasslands. Thanks for listening to our weekly ~~love letter~~ podcast exploring a straightforward thesis: grasslands are the best biome. We'll see you next week! Primary Sources: I had a million sources from this episode because of the breadth of species covered, so for more complete information look for the parrot post on our site! Animal Diversity Web (PDF) Notes on the ecology of the yellow-faced parrot (Alipiopsitta Xanthops) in central Brazil We Now Know the Real Range of the Extinct Carolina Parakeet | Audubon Turquoise Parrot BirdLife Australia ICUN Redlist Contact: Email: info@grasslandgroupies.org Website Facebook Twitter

Meet the burrowing owls and desert tortoises of Condor Ridge