The Western Burrowing Owl has had a petition submitted on its behalf to be placed on the California Endangered Species list as threatened or endangered. According to the California Fish and Game Commission Notice, the western burrowing owl is a small bird of prey that lives in open, arid, relatively flat to rolling terrain covered by low stature vegetation, such as grasslands, shrub steppes, and desert shrubs.
Vegetation cover and height are significant habitat factors due to the ground-dwelling nature and small size of the burrowing owl.
Vegetation cover that prevents the owl from observing approaching predators places the burrowing owl at a severe disadvantage.
The owl nests and roosts in underground burrows that are typically excavated by other burrowing animals such as ground squirrels, coyotes, and tortoises. The tiny owls’ habitat is all over the west coast, including the Mojave desert and into Nevada and other adjacent states.
Unless an extension is requested, the Department’s evaluation and recommendation relating to the petition is expected to be received by the Commission at its June meeting taking place on the 19th and 20th.
