Date: 10/29/08
Contact: Margie Klein
Phone: (702) 486-5127

KEEPING AN EYE ON BURROWING OWLS

An affable symbol of the desert, the burrowing owl, is currently the subject of several biological studies being conducted in Southern Nevada. Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) diversity biologist Christy Klinger includes burrowing owl data in her Nevada Bird Counts and Breeding Bird Surveys. Other agencies such as the U.S. Geological Survey are also gathering data. The Red Rock Audubon Society and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) have a monitoring project going on around Las Vegas where birds are being counted at different times of the year.

Burrowing owls in Southern Nevada are active year-round, do not hibernate, and tend to be year-round residents as opposed to migratory. Their burrows provide all the protection they need from weather extremes.

These owls are not listed as threatened or endangered in Nevada, but biologists are starting to see a range-wide decline due to loss of habitat and collisions with vehicles. Burrowing owls are highly adaptable and take advantage of both rural and urban habitats, and are often found living on undeveloped land tracts around town. Due to their propensity to sit and hunt on roads at night, burrowing owls suffer high mortality from automobile collisions.

“The owls rarely dig their own burrows and instead use abandoned burrows of desert tortoises, kit foxes and other burrowing mammals. So as there is a decline in desert tortoises, the burrowing owl may also be affected,” said Klinger. These owls will also use man made burrows, as well as pipes or small culverts, often found on construction sites.

Burrowing owls are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and killing or possession of these birds, or destruction of their nests or eggs, is prohibited. Since these birds may be found in and adjacent to urban areas, including tracts of land slated for development, the concern for “take” of this species has led to the creation of an informational brochure for developers that offers tips for protecting burrowing owls and provides information on determining presence of nests or breeding activity.

According to Christiana Manville of the USFWS, the purpose of their joint project with Red Rock Audubon Society project is to survey, find and map burrows in the Las Vegas valley. Volunteers have found over 300 this past year. Burrows can be found in areas where signs of the owls, such as pellets and whitewash, are found. The volunteers also locate territories where pairs have formed, right before breeding season in late March or April and record the “nest burrows.” The pairs are monitored once a week and volunteers watch them raise their young and record data such as the number of young, what they are being fed, and any threats to them. If anyone would like to help in this project, they can contact the Red Rock Audubon Society at 702-390-9890. Volunteers are also recruited on an ongoing basis for a number of Nevada Department of Wildlife projects. Contact Chris Pietrafeso for more information 702-486-5127 x 3850.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and
wildlife, promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and conservation fees and a Federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org.