Kanga

Species: Burrowing Owl
Scientific Name: Athene cunicularia
Size: Body length of 7.5-9.8 inches, a wingspan of 21.6 inches, weighs 150 grams

WHY AM I HERE?
My journey with Fresno Wildlife Rehab began in December 2015 after I had been struck by a car. Unfortunately, the driver didn’t realize they had hit me until they arrived home and found me stuck to the grill of their car. This collision resulted in three major breaks in my right wing. My injuries prevent me from being released because I can no longer fly well enough to survive on my own in the wild. My role as a wildlife ambassador allows me to educate the public about the importance of my species and our role in the environment!

I AM SPECIAL BECAUSE
Burrowing owls often store extra food to ensure an adequate supply during incubation and brooding. They have also been known to nest in pipes and other human structures when there is an absence of burrows made by other animals!

RANGE
Burrowing owls can be found in the south-western United States as well as in Florida and further south. They live on wide expanses of short vegetation, usually near ground squirrels and prairie dog colonies.

DIET
Burrowing owls eat invertebrates and small vertebrates like lizards. They commonly hunt grasshoppers, beetles, mice, voles, and shrews.

NESTING
Breeding pairs stay near a dedicated nesting burrow while wintering owls may move around. They maintain their burrow by digging with their beaks and kicking back soil with their feet. The burrow is usually about 3 feet deep and have numerous twists and turns lined with materials to protect the young.