This BuOw pair at Wildhorse Golf Course used two adjacent human-built burrows with four entrances and three chambers plus nearby squirrel holes for their family of eight chicks. Burrowing Owls use burrows all year round; not just for nesting. Most burrows have one or more entrances, some sort of tunnel(s) and at least one chamber. Beyond that, almost anything goes. BuOws also like a nearby perch or two for spotting predators and prey. Use the checklist to zero in on other needs. The most splendid burrow won’t be used for long (if at all) when installed in a poor location, overgrown with weeds, crushed or co-opted for dirt storage by gophers. For an excellent paper with all the latest research on burrows click here. Though Florida BuOws will dig their own, most BuOws prefer to move into a burrow and just do a little remodeling after someone else has done most of the work. Many animals that used to provide homes for these owls have been mostly poisoned or paved over. Now, burrows are often the limiting factor for BuOws. Luckily they’ll readily accept human-built burrows. If the location is right, the only problem is numbers. Think clusters. The more holes the better. Burrows don’t have to be fancy or expensive and simple tools will work fine. If you’re not blessed with ground squirrels or other diggers to build burrows (or want to improve the selection with your own additions) you’re in luck. There are plenty of options to make a perfect fit for you as well as the owls. Often it costs money to save time. If that’s a problem, consider letting others in on the fun. And don’t stress. It’s not rocket science; just birdhouses in the ground! Entries.htmlTunnels.htmlChambers.htmlPerches.htmlGallery.htmlhttp://www.wildlife-research.org/INSTALLATION%20OF%20ARTIFICIAL%20BURROWS%20FOR%20BURROWING%20OWLS%20-%20USERS%20GUIDE%2026%20August%202010.pdfWhats_in_a_name.htmlTool_Grid.htmlshapeimage_3_link_0shapeimage_3_link_1shapeimage_3_link_2shapeimage_3_link_3shapeimage_3_link_4shapeimage_3_link_5shapeimage_3_link_6shapeimage_3_link_7
The separate parts are not unknown... You can make burrow parts anytime the inspiration strikes. Then when you find a great location (see Basics and Checklist), you’ll be ready to install in a twinkling (Burying It). Click a photo to learn how you, too, can build burrows! Canopy Grid Tunnel Grid Chamber GridBasics.htmlChecklist.htmlBurying_It.htmlCanopy_Grid.htmlTunnel_Grid.htmlChamber_Grid.htmlshapeimage_4_link_0shapeimage_4_link_1shapeimage_4_link_2shapeimage_4_link_3shapeimage_4_link_4shapeimage_4_link_5
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