Do Owls Play?
When most people think of owls they envision wise old owls high in the treetops, keeping a mysterious and watchful gaze at the world below. In my mind, these owls are so wise they even wear a monocle. Stately Barred Owls and Great Horned Owls both fall into this “wise old owl” category. But Florida’s Burrowing Owls are altogether different. Diminutive in size, these small and charismatic owls spend most of their lives on the ground where they nest in burrows dug into sandy soil. These burrows are only excavated to a depth of 2 to 3 feet, but can extend up to 9 feet in length (1).
Young birds emerge from the nest about two weeks after hatching, and begin playing (running, hopping, flapping wings, and preening) at about three weeks of age. They’ll take short flights around the burrow when they are about 4 weeks old, and leave the nest when about 45 days old (1).
This Saturday I was fortunate to visit Cape Coral where there is a large population of Florida Burrowing Owls. Young owls are emerging from their burrows and starting to explore their environment and play. I hope you enjoy these play time photos!
Burrowing Owl (adult). Standing atop the burrow, this adult Burrowing Owl maintains a steady watch. Nikon Z9 with Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S lens at ISO 720, f/6.3, 1/1000 sec.
Juvenile Burrowing Owl. This owlet returned to this spot about 10 feet away from the burrow over and over again, obviously a “safe place” in the shadow of this utility pole. Nikon Z9 with Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S lens at ISO 1100, f/6.3, 1/1250 sec.
Two Juvenile Burrowing Owls. Juveniles spend most of their time near the burrow so they can make a hasty retreat when the adult gives an alert call. Nikon Z9 with Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S lens at ISO 400, f/6.3, 1/1000 sec.
Juvenile Burrowing Owl. As the owls mature, they gain confidence to leave the immediate burrow and start practicing their flight skills. Nikon Z9 with Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S lens at ISO 450, f/6.3, 1/1250 sec.
Juvenile Burrowing Owl in flight. He made the leap! Nikon Z9 with Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S lens at ISO 500, f/6.3, 1/2000 sec.
Juvenile Burrowing Owl. Back on the ground, something has caught his attention. Let’s run over there to see what it is! Nikon Z9 with Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S lens at ISO 1250, f/6.3, 1/1600 sec.
What does this Burrowing Owl see? Something has caught this owl’s eye. What is it? Nikon Z9 with Nikkor 500mm f/5.6E PF lens at ISO 720, f/5.6, 1/1600 sec.
Something to nibble on. He’s found something to nibble on. Let’s take a closer look. Nikon Z9 with Nikkor 500mm f/5.6E PF lens at ISO 720, f/5.6, 1/1600 sec.
It’s a snail! The sharp eyes of the Burrowing Owl spotted a snail on a blade of grass. Nikon Z9 with Nikkor 500mm f/5.6E PF lens at ISO 720, f/5.6, 1/1600 sec.
Dropped it! Don’t worry about the snail. He dropped it. Oh well. Time to find something else. Nikon Z9 with Nikkor 500mm f/5.6E PF lens at ISO 720, f/5.6, 1/1600 sec.
Let’s pounce on this grass! We’ll show this grass who’s boss! Nikon Z9 with Nikkor 500mm f/5.6E PF lens at ISO 800, f/5.6, 1/1600 sec.
Let’s taste it! Nikon Z9 with Nikkor 500mm f/5.6E PF lens at ISO 800, f/5.6, 1/1600 sec.
What’s that in the grass? There is something there…Hmmm… Nikon Z9 with Nikkor 500mm f/5.6E PF lens at ISO 900, f/5.6, 1/1600 sec.
Do you see the bee in the middle of the image? The Burrowing Owl did! Nikon Z9 with Nikkor 500mm f/5.6E PF lens at ISO 900, f/5.6, 1/1600 sec.
Let’s pounce on my sibling! At another burrow, a juvenile jumped on his sibling while playing. Nikon Z9 with Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S lens at ISO 640, f/6.3, 1/1250 sec.
Got him! Nikon Z9 with Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S lens at ISO 640, f/6.3, 1/1250 sec.
Play is an opportunity for family units to socially bond and practice hunting behavior. Whether playing with a blade of grass, a snail, a bee, or a sibling, this behavior is important part in the Burrowing Owl’s growth and development.
Sources:
Poulin, R. G., L. D. Todd, E. A. Haug, B. A. Millsap, and M. S. Martell (2020). Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (A. F. Poole, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.burowl.01
