{"id":98321,"date":"2021-12-20T05:16:03","date_gmt":"2021-12-20T12:16:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/?p=98321"},"modified":"2022-04-26T09:24:42","modified_gmt":"2022-04-26T15:24:42","slug":"aba-bird-of-the-year-2022-the-burrowing-owl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2021\/12\/20\/aba-bird-of-the-year-2022-the-burrowing-owl\/","title":{"rendered":"ABA Bird Of The Year 2022 – The Burrowing Owl!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"ImmatureImmature Burrowing Owl on a stump in soft morning light<\/span><\/p>\n

It was announced yesterday that the Burrowing Owl is the 2022 ABA<\/span><\/a> Bird of the Year! Burrowing Owls are small, long-legged, sandy-colored, charismatic owls with bright yellow eyes.<\/p>\n

\"AdultAdult male Burrowing Owl on top of a grassy knoll<\/span><\/p>\n

Burrowing Owls can be seen hunting during the day and are easily recognizable. Their preferred habitat includes deserts and grasslands throughout North, Central, and South America where they can blend into their habitat and hide in plain sight.<\/p>\n

\"SiblingSibling Burrowing Owl juveniles in the desert<\/span><\/p>\n

Young Burrowing Owls are wonderful subjects to photograph and I have spent hours capturing their antics on Antelope Island State Park and in other locations in northern Utah. They can be playful, shy, curious, and downright funny.<\/p>\n

\"AdultAdult male Burrowing Owl watching over his burrow<\/span><\/p>\n

Adult Burrowing Owls dig new burrows to nest in or take over the burrows of badgers, prairie dogs, ground squirrels, and even tortoises. They will also nest in burrows created by humans.<\/p>\n

On Antelope Island State Park Burrowing Owls nest in both natural burrows and burrows created by park staff and volunteers.<\/p>\n

\"AdultAdult female Burrowing Owl in the desert<\/span><\/p>\n

Fully grown Burrowing Owls are about the same size as American Robins or a soda can. They are not large birds of prey.<\/p>\n

\"ThreeThree Burrowing Owl juveniles next to a road<\/span><\/p>\n

Burrowing Owls lay anywhere from two to 12 eggs which the females incubate. During the incubation period the male brings the female food.<\/p>\n

These ground dwelling owls scatter animal dung at the entrance to their burrows which attracts beetles and other insects which the owls catch and eat without having to leave the safety of their burrows.<\/p>\n

\"AdultAdult Burrowing Owl lifting off from sage with the Great Salt Lake in the background<\/span><\/p>\n

The adult owls are very protective of their burrow and their young. I’ve seen them chase other birds and small mammals away that got too close to their young.<\/p>\n

\"MaleMale Burrowing Owl in a windy spring morning<\/span><\/p>\n

Burrowing Owls are hoarders and will cache prey in their burrows to get them through lean times. Their diet is variable and they will consume insects, small rodents, lizards and snakes.<\/p>\n

\"SquintingSquinting juvenile Burrowing Owl<\/span><\/p>\n

The young Burrowing Owls usually stick close to their burrows for protection but spend a lot of time exploring the world outside the nest.<\/p>\n

\"JuvenileJuvenile Burrowing Owl yawning next to a gnarly fence post<\/span><\/p>\n

I adore photographing young Burrowing Owls as they learn to fly, learn to hunt, and interact with their siblings. There are times when I can’t help but laugh out loud when I am with these clowns of the desert.<\/p>\n

\"JuvenileJuvenile Burrowing Owl rousing on a water trough<\/span><\/p>\n

Observing and photographing these small owls is always fun and entertaining. It is one of my favorite things to do during their breeding season.<\/p>\n

\"MaleMale Burrowing Owl adult watching over his young from a metal post<\/span><\/p>\n

I am thrilled that the ABA Bird of the Year for 2022 is the Burrowing Owl and I know that I am looking forward to learning more about this enigmatic species throughout the new year.<\/p>\n

Life is<\/em> good.<\/p>\n

Mia<\/p>\n

Click here<\/span><\/a> to see more of my Burrowing Owl photos plus facts and information about this species.<\/p>\n

These Burrowing Owl photos were taken in Utah over the years. All images are new to my blog and my photo galleries.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It was announced yesterday that the Burrowing Owl is the 2022 ABA Bird of the Year! Burrowing Owls are small, long-legged, sandy-colored, charismatic owls with bright yellow eyes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":98288,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[511,27,1148,52,1022,26],"tags":[4004,58,55,4008,4214,3981,4098,11978,4070,4067,4071,4062,3967,294,153,30,4193],"class_list":["post-98321","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-antelope-island-state-park","category-avian","category-box-elder-county-utah","category-burrowing-owls","category-davis-county-utah","category-utah","tag-adult","tag-antelope-island-sp","tag-athene-cunicularia","tag-box-elder-county","tag-burrowing-owl","tag-davis-county","tag-desert","tag-desert-island","tag-female","tag-immature","tag-juvenile","tag-male","tag-owl","tag-owls","tag-raptors","tag-utah-2","tag-young"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/burrowing-owl-immature-morning-light-mia-mcpherson-7693.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p11Mom-pzP","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":26703,"url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2015\/07\/14\/juvenile-burrowing-owls-do-change-their-spots\/","url_meta":{"origin":98321,"position":0},"title":"Juvenile Burrowing Owls Do Change Their Spots","author":"Mia McPherson","date":"July 14, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Leopards don't change their spots but juvenile Burrowing Owls do change their spots on their chests as they mature.","rel":"","context":"In "Antelope Island State Park"","block_context":{"text":"Antelope Island State Park","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/category\/locations\/utah\/antelope-island-state-park\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Young Burrowing Owl fluttering on a fence, Box Elder County, Utah","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/burrowing-owl-juvenile-perched-mia-mcpherson-8906.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/burrowing-owl-juvenile-perched-mia-mcpherson-8906.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/burrowing-owl-juvenile-perched-mia-mcpherson-8906.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/burrowing-owl-juvenile-perched-mia-mcpherson-8906.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":35067,"url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2016\/01\/22\/winter-burrowing-owls-on-antelope-island\/","url_meta":{"origin":98321,"position":1},"title":"Winter Burrowing Owls on Antelope Island","author":"Mia McPherson","date":"January 22, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"It was the first of the winter Burrowing Owls I was to find yesterday while on Antelope Island State Park.","rel":"","context":"In "Antelope Island State Park"","block_context":{"text":"Antelope Island State Park","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/category\/locations\/utah\/antelope-island-state-park\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Back lit Burrowing Owl in winter on Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/burrowing-owl-back-lit-mia-mcpherson-5674.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/burrowing-owl-back-lit-mia-mcpherson-5674.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/burrowing-owl-back-lit-mia-mcpherson-5674.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/burrowing-owl-back-lit-mia-mcpherson-5674.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4029,"url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2012\/01\/17\/juvenile-burrowing-owl-portrait\/","url_meta":{"origin":98321,"position":2},"title":"Juvenile Burrowing Owl Portrait","author":"Mia McPherson","date":"January 17, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Burrowing Owls are beautiful birds with lemony yellow eyes, downy soft feathers and subtle coloration. It's hard to believe that they aren't that much different in size from an American Robin.","rel":"","context":"In "Antelope Island State Park"","block_context":{"text":"Antelope Island State Park","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/category\/locations\/utah\/antelope-island-state-park\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Juvenile Burrowing Owl portrait, Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/burrowing-owl-juvenile-portrait-mia-mcpherson-0395.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/burrowing-owl-juvenile-portrait-mia-mcpherson-0395.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/burrowing-owl-juvenile-portrait-mia-mcpherson-0395.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4744,"url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2012\/04\/06\/burrowing-owls-friday-photos\/","url_meta":{"origin":98321,"position":3},"title":"Burrowing Owls – Friday Photos","author":"Mia McPherson","date":"April 6, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"I've selected a few Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) images taken a few years ago to post today.","rel":"","context":"In "Antelope Island State Park"","block_context":{"text":"Antelope Island State Park","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/category\/locations\/utah\/antelope-island-state-park\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Burrowing Owl adult near mudflats of the Great Salt Lake, Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/burrowing-owl-adult-mia-mcpherson-0343.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/burrowing-owl-adult-mia-mcpherson-0343.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/burrowing-owl-adult-mia-mcpherson-0343.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/burrowing-owl-adult-mia-mcpherson-0343.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1441,"url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2010\/11\/23\/adult-burrowing-owls\/","url_meta":{"origin":98321,"position":4},"title":"Adult Burrowing Owls","author":"Mia McPherson","date":"November 23, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"I felt it was time to put the beauty of the adult Burrowing Owls in the limelight.","rel":"","context":"In "Antelope Island State Park"","block_context":{"text":"Antelope Island State Park","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/category\/locations\/utah\/antelope-island-state-park\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Adult western Burrowing Owl in morning light, Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/burrowing-owl-mia-mcpherson-adult-0411.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/burrowing-owl-mia-mcpherson-adult-0411.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/burrowing-owl-mia-mcpherson-adult-0411.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, 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