Burrowing Owl
Athene cunicularia
Text by Janet Linthicum/SCPBRG

Status
In serious decline over much of range. In Santa Cruz county and at UCSC, extinct as breeding population. At UCSC, 10-15 overwinter in UCSC's lower meadows. Also seen at Grey Whale Ranch.

Habitat
Grasslands and other open habitat. Nests in old mammal burrows such as are created by ground squirrels.

Diet: Insects, rodents, lizards, birds.

Threats
Poisoning and nest site loss result from human efforts to control ground squirrels. Also conversion of open habitat.

Conservation
Their use of the campus likely relates directly to the relative abundance of ground squirrels there. Preservation and management of the open grasslands of the lower campus is the main conservation measure protecting these wintering owls. The Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group (SCPBRG) and other organizations are considering whether it might be feasible to encourage wintering owls in other Santa Cruz grasslands such as those of the North Coast by installing artificial burrows in areas lacking squirrels, and possibly attempting to reestablish the owls as a breeding species. SCPBRG has monitored the campus owls for a number of years, and their numbers seem to remain stable. Mortality on wintering grounds is suspected of being a main cause of the precipitous decline of the species in parts of Canada, highlighting the importance on international conservation measures.