Athene cunicularia - the Latin name given to the Burrowing owls is thought to be derived from the goddess Athena; a wise bright eyed heroic warrior and cunicularia referring to the ‘rabbit den’ or underground burrows they nest in. Found in open grasslands of SW Idaho, this bright eyed, long legged owl is a fierce hunter flying and running. In addition, Burrowing owls creatively surround their burrows with dried dung attracting a food source of bugs and beetles close to home. The male stands guard on top as the female stays near the nest burrow to tend to the chicks. As a defense mechanism, the chicks are able to mimic the rattle of a rattlesnake, scaring off would be predators.
Dirt Diva – Burrowing Owl
Athene cunicularia - the scientific name of the Burrowing owl is thought to be derived from the goddess Athena; a wise bright eyed heroic warrior and cunicularia referring to the ‘rabbit den’ or underground burrows they nest in. Found in sagebrush steppe of SW Idaho, this bright eyed, long legged owl is a fierce hunter in flight and on the ground. In ‘Dirt Diva’, the male is depicted standing guard at the edge of the burrow as the female stays near the opening to tend nestlings inside. Burrowing owl nestlings can mimic the sound of a rattlesnake to scare off would be predators.