The Close-by Prairie #2

The Burrowing Owl is the biggest draw on the prairie

My last post introduced you to the wonders of the prairies near my home.

A Swainson's Hawk chillin' in one of the few trees in sight

So, let's continue on that journey.

Burrowing Owls

Recently fledged Burrowing Owls

The BIG summer treat is Burrowing Owls. These little cuties “nest” in Colorado every summer. 

Always a treat to see

I used to travel pretty far to see them in areas I learned about on Facebook and by talking to other birders. I blogged about Owls I saw in Pawnee National Grassland before.

Owlets in Pawnee National Grassland

But, then I got a tip at a birding festival about closer Owls. That introduced me to my go-to spot that, apparently, very few birders are aware of. I have only seen other people watching the Owls there about three times. 

An unusual Prairie Dog/Owl Conflict

It’s the Owls that draw me out to the prairie in the summer. 

I said the Burrowing Owls “nest,” but, as their name implies, they don’t build nests. 

Rather, the lay their eggs in burrow stolen from Prairie Dogs, with which they co-exist rather peacefully. 

Burrowing Owls can be found throughout open landscapes of North and South America; some are migratory and some (in warmer climes) are year-round residents.

They are small with surprisingly long legs ...

These three youngsters are showing off their shapely gams

... pretty rufous and white coloring ...

This Owl knows it's pretty

... and giant yellow eyes that they love to direct toward whoever is watching them ...

Are you looking at me?

They have prominent white eyebrows and a white "chin" patch that they expand and display during certain behaviors, such as a bobbing of the head when agitated. 

Showing off that white chin

Burrowing Owls are highly expressive, sometimes exhibiting curiosity ...

I am still trying to get a shot with the head completely rotated

... disdain ...

"We are not amused"

... boredom ...

Big yawn!

... or displeasure ...

"Back off"

Never a dull moment ...

So much fun to watch

Unlike most Owls in which the female is larger than the male, the sexes of the Burrowing Owl are the same size – about 7.5 to 11 inches tall with a 20-to-24-inch wingspan.

 

Their wings are surprisingly long for their body size

They weigh 4.9 to 8.5 ounces. An average adult is slightly larger than an American Robin. 

Tiny little Owls

Adult males can appear lighter in color than females because they spend more time outside the burrow during daylight, which sun-bleaches their feathers. 

The intense Colorado sun affects even Owls

When hunting from the air, they hover like Kestrels

Burrowing Owls eat mainly insects, small rodents and reptiles. The ones I see seem to favor grasshoppers, which are plentiful on the prairie in the summer. They prefer to hunt on foot by walking or running and hopping on their prey. But, sometimes they can be seen hovering above the prairie looking for tasty treats.

Owls' favorite food

They often stow extra food to ensure an adequate supply during incubation and brooding. When food is plentiful, the birds' underground larders can reach prodigious sizes. One cache observed in Saskatchewan in 1997 contained more than 200 rodents. 

Although they eat other things, I have seen them eat only bugs

They surround their burrows with dung to attract insects, making their hunting easier – sort of like a form of DoorDash for Owls. They also sometimes collect bottle caps, metal foil, cigarette butts, paper scraps and other bits of trash at the entrance, possibly signifying that the burrow is occupied. 

This burrow is occupied

He will swallow this whole

Like other Owls, Burrowing Owls swallow their prey whole or in large pieces, but cannot digest fur, teeth, bones or feathers. Their stomachs have two chambers. In the first, all the digestible parts of the Owl's meal are liquefied. 

Then the meal passes into the second chamber, the gizzard, which grinds down hard structures and squeezes the digestible food into the intestines. The remaining indigestible fur, bones and teeth are compacted into a pellet that the Owl coughs up  ...

A pellet on the way up

... and expels ...

And out

Unlike most Owls, Burrowing Owls are often active during the day, although they tend to avoid the midday heat. 

Out in the middle of the day

However, they hunt mainly from dusk until dawn, when they can use their night vision and hearing to their advantage. 

Those dilated eyes can see very well in the dark

So, dawn and dusk are the best times to photograph them – light enough to see while they are doing more than standing around ...

They spend a lot of time by their burrows

... or peeking out of their burrows ...

 

Sometimes, this is all you see

Living in open grasslands as opposed to forests, the Burrowing Owl has developed longer legs that enable it to sprint, as well as fly, when hunting. 

Many bugs are caught (and eaten) on the ground

There are 18 recognized subspecies, of which two are now extinct; ours is the Western Burrowing Owl, which is found from southern Canada through the Great Plains south to Central America. 

"Howdy, pardner, I'm a Western Owl"

Most of the other species are specific to different Caribbean islands and parts of South America. 

Burrowing Owls live about nine years in the wild and at least a year longer in captivity. Their biggest threats are automobiles, badgers, coyotes, snakes and feral and domestic cats and dogs.

They are constantly vigilant

When threatened, they retreat to the burrow and produce rattling and hissing sounds like those of a rattlesnake.

They are not shy about communicating their feelings, whether fear or anger

Burrowing Owls are tolerant of human presence, often nesting near roads, farms, homes and regularly maintained irrigation canals. I have found them to be totally chill when I stay in the car ...

I drove right up to this one and shot pictures from my car

... but quite skittish if I get out ...

And, then, they fly away

This dynamic changes when they are roosting – as they often do – on power or phone cables. When they are out of reach, they seem to have no fear. I have stood directly below perching Burrowing Owls just to have them stare at me. 

Not concerned about my presence

A couple of years ago, Caty and I photographed some Burrowing owls at an open space in Fort Collins that has a very active bike/hiking trail. 

A Fort Collins Owl

Those Owls seemed to not mind walking or standing people at all (and there were fairly large groups of photographers). 

This one landed on a sign right beside me

During breeding season, the female will lay an egg every one or two days until she has completed a clutch, which can consist of four to 12 eggs (usually nine). 

This nest had six babies

She will then incubate the eggs for three to four weeks while the male brings her food. After the eggs hatch, both parents will feed the chicks. 

A new Owlet

Four weeks after hatching, the chicks can make short flights and begin leaving the nest burrow. 

A recent fledgling tries its wings

The parents will still help feed the chicks for one to three months. 

Feeding time

It is fun to watch the process by which the parents care for their youngsters. This is what you are looking for as a photographer.

A food delivery

In the late afternoon or early morning, the adults fly off and catch bugs or small rodents. 

An adult with a bug

Incoming!

They fly back to their hungry children, who squawk and stomp and run toward the food-bearer in anticipation of being fed.

This is where you get to see long legs and – sometimes – newly acquired flying skills in play. Then, the parent hands the food off to whichever Owlet pushes its way to the front of the line.

Food handoff

Then, they go back and do it over ...

An adult with a catch

... and over again ...

Feeding a clutch full of babies is a full-time job

Owls will frequently reuse a nest several years in a row, but different population have different norms. Owls in migratory northern populations are less likely to return to the same burrow every year. 

Some migrate and some stay put; ours are only here in the summer

Also, as with many other birds, the female Owls are more likely to disperse to a different site than are male Owls. I have seen a lot of Owls return to the same general area, but pick a different burrow. 

Coming in to the burrow

The Burrowing Owl is endangered in Canada and threatened in Mexico. It is a state threatened species in Colorado and Florida. 

The major reasons for declining populations in North America are loss of habitat and control programs for Prairie Dogs. The Prairie Dog is important because, while some species can dig their own burrows, most rely on other burrowing animals for their shelter and nesting space. 

Dancing on the burrow

This one seems unconcerned

Where the presence of Burrowing Owls conflicts with development interests, some areas have successfully  

applied a "passive" relocation technique.

Capturing the birds and transporting them to a new site can fail because it is stressful to the Owls. So, instead, wildlife experts half-coerce, half-entice the Owls to move on their own accord.

 

After choosing a location nearby that has suitable ground and provides good Burrowing Owl breeding habitat, the site is enhanced by adding burrows and perches. Then, their old burrows are destroyed or blocked, forcing them to move to the nearby “greener pastures.” 

As long as they land somewhere safe so I can keep watching them

For video, click here and here.

Swift Foxes 

In my last post, I mentioned Swift Foxes, but they deserve more than a passing mention. 

Two Swift Fox Kits

A Swift Fox sighting is somewhat rare, but I do see them from time-to-time. Last year, I had a real treat when I was looking for Burrowing Owls and just down the road from some known burrows, I stumbled upon a Swift Fox den, which appeared to have two adults and three almost-full-grown Kits. 

Most of the time, it was two of the Kits out playing

For two days in a row, I watched them play … 

What big teeth they have!

… and eat …

They had some cached food they kept going back to

… and pose ...

Siblings

... and stretch … 

Ahhhhh

… and rest … 

Even with all their energy, they get tired

… and play some more …

 

But energy usually won out

Then, they were gone and I have never seen Foxes near that den again. 

The last time I saw the family, they were going out to hunt

I hope I didn’t scare them away by photographing them. They certainly didn’t seem disturbed at the time. 

Just a bit wary

Swift Foxes favor dry open grasslands

This small light orange-tan Fox about the size of a small dog is found in the western grasslands of North America, including Montana, Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arizona and Texas. 

Swift Foxes also live in southern Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta in Canada, where they were previously extirpated. 

They became nearly extinct in the 1930s as a result of predator control programs, but were successfully reintroduced later. 

They are closely related to the smaller Kit Fox, with which they sometimes hybridize where their ranges overlap. 

Swift Fox, left; Kit Fox, right

Like most canids, the Swift Fox is an omnivore and its diet includes grasses and fruits as well as small mammals, carrion and insects. During the summer, adults eat large amounts of insects, including beetles and grasshoppers, and feed their young with larger prey. Deer and carrion killed by other animals may also be important food sources.

I am not sure what they were eating, but it looked large

The one I saw the other day was hunting ...

Hunting posture

... and it caught at least three small rodents and gulped them down within just a few minutes – some really impressive hunting that was conducted in tall grass that made it difficult to see. 

Chomping down on the catch

In the wild, the Swift Fox’s lifespan is three to six years, but may be up to 14 years in captivity. But, I seldom see them in captivity.

In a world where the Red Fox is the “norm” for Fox appearance, the first sighting of a Swift Fox is a bit unsettling. Their noses are less pointed and their eyes slightly more forward, giving them a more dog-like appearance. 

A unique face

They just look odd compared to the Red Fox. 

The adults look less foxy than the kits

Swift Foxes are primarily nocturnal, spending only evenings and nighttime above ground in the summer. My guess is that the youngsters we watched were getting pretty rambunctious and, were thus playing outside where they wouldn’t disturb mom and dad. 

This kind of play just wouldn't work in a crowded den

Daytime activities are usually confined to the den, but they often to spend the warm midday period above ground during the winter. 

Most of my sightings have been at sunrise or sunset

They are more heavily dependent on their dens than most North American canids, using them as shelter from predators. 

You have probably heard about the "quick brown fox." Well, the orange ones are pretty fast, too. 

Much faster than a lazy dog

Swift Foxes can run up to 40 mph in short bursts. 

Totally airborne

Coyotes often kill but don’t eat Swift Foxes, indicating that the kill is based more on territory competition than predation. Other predators include the Badger, Golden Eagle and Bobcat. They are also vulnerable to trapping and poisoning, as well as death on highways. 

They have many challenges

One reason I may have not seen the Fox family after two days is that Swift Foxes can occupy up to 13 different dens in one year. They move if prey is scarce or if skin parasites build up inside the den. Sometimes they steal burrows from other bigger animals, even though they are capable of digging burrows themselves. 

Swift Foxes change addresses frequently

Pups are born in the den and typically remain there for approximately one month. A newborn pup's eyes and ears remain closed for ten to fifteen days, leaving it dependent on the mother for food and protection during this time. It is usually weaned around six or seven weeks old and remains with its parents until fall. 

These two would probably have stayed with their parents for just a few more months

Recent research has shown that social organization in the Swift Fox is unusual among canids, since it is based on females that maintain territories at all times. Males move on if the resident female is killed or removed. 

Females maintain the territorial structure

They are beautiful animals that, although seen rarely, are a fixture of the prairie. 

Photographing these two was a highlight of my prairie experiences

Oh, and I have videos: #1, #2, #3 and #4.

Birds 

Finally, I can’t talk about any place without talking about birds. And, there is rich diversity of birds on the prairie. 

Spottings include Colorado’s state bird, the Lark Bunting … 

Summer brings huge flocks of Lark Buntings

… interesting as a state bird because it has a prairie (not mountainous) habitat and it is only present in the summer …

The male is a striking black and white

But, that's our bird ...

The female looks completely different

The prairies are full of Horned Larks (last seen as a Merlin’s prey) … 

One of the most common prairie birds

Western Meadowlarks … 

Known for their song, Western Meadowlarks seem to be on every wire or fence

Beautiful Western Kingbirds …

 

Their bright yellow breast is beautiful

… another of the prairie’s most common birds …

 

Enjoying an equally colorful bug

I also see Eastern Kingbirds every now and then … 

A beautiful black-and-white bird

Sometimes, I’ll see a Say’s Phoebe … 

Not as common a sighting here in Colorado

Or a Canyon Towhee …

An "LBJ" -- "little brown job"

Or Thrashers, Sage …

Bird on a wire

… and Curve-billed … 

Even the shadows can't hide that orange eye

I've seen a variety of Sparrows, including Lark Sparrows … 

A face easily recognized

Cassin’s Sparrows … 

Giving us a song

Vester Sparrows … 

One of the more common prairie Sparrows

White-crowned Sparrows … 

Juvenile White-crowned Sparrows have rufous caps; adults have black

And, Savannah Sparrows … 

Sparrows can be confusing to identify

Mourning Doves are Common … 

The sunlight is illuminating that bright neck patch

But, I have also seen Scaled Quail … 

A very pretty bird that you don't hear much about

And, Rock Pigeons in a non-urban setting … 

I never expect to see these birds outside the city

Occasionally, I’ll see some colorful birds, including Bullock’s Orioles, male … 

Hipster bird; looks like he has shades and a goatee

... and female ...

Not as brightly colored as her mate, but pretty

Yellow-rumped Warblers, Audubon … 

A bright little thing

... and Myrtle ...

You can see why it's call Yellow-rumped

Yellow-headed Blackbirds … 

These are often in big flocks

Western Tanagers …

 

The colors are so vibrant

And, Yellow Warblers … 

Such a cutie!

I have even seen House Finches … 

These are more common at my backyard feeders

In the wetter areas and agricultural fields, I see lots of Red-winged Blackbirds, very noisy birds …

Male Red-winged Blackbird singing his heart out

And, an occasional Killdeer … 

Killdeers can also be very noisy

Once, I even came upon a couple of Long-billed Curlews …

It was a surprise to see these so far from the shore

… that I believe were just passing through … 

I assume they were migrating

A really fun bird is the Loggerhead Shrike, a fierce predator …

 

Look at that bill; it's made for killing

… often called the “Butcher Bird” because it impales its kill on thorns or barbed wire to hold for later snacking … 

I usually see them on wires or fences

I have seen them eat, but have yet to observe that behavior ...

 

He didn't save his snack for later

And, of course, we have European Starlings … 

An invasive species, but still pretty

… Northern Mockingbirds … 

A pretty sight perched on a cactus

… and American Robins … 

These birds show up everywhere!

And, that’s just a sampling. There are more I haven’t seen or photographed. 

The prairie is amazing! 

It's best to stay as late as you can

Good night!