Burrowing Owls by Ken _Gilliland

Vue • Animals • posted on Apr 14, 2010

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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.

Description

The burrowing owl is the latest addition to my owl project measuring between 9-11 inches tall. They are commonly found in open, dry grasslands, agricultural and range lands, and desert habitats often associated with burrowing animals, particularly prairie dogs, ground squirrels and badgers in North and northern South America. They feed on a wide variety of prey, changing food habits as location and time of year, but it's mostly insects and small mammals. The burrowing owl is endangered in Canada, threatened in Mexico, and a species of special concern in Florida and most of the western USA. It is a state endangered species in Colorado. It is common and widespread in open regions of many Neotropical countries, where they sometimes even inhabit fields and parks in cities. While North American populations are in decline, regions bordering the Amazon Rainforest they are spreading due to deforestation. The major reasons for declining populations in North America are control programs for prairie dogs and loss of habitat, although burrowing owls readily inhabit some anthropogenic landscapes, such as airport grasslands or golf courses. Rendered in Vue 8i with no postwork. Models: Owls (me), foliage (Robin Kleb)