burrowing owl
Prairie hole dweller
A burrowing owl is a small, long-legged owl native to open landscapes of the Americas.
Unlike most owls, it nests underground—typically in abandoned prairie dog or ground squirrel burrows rather than trees.
Active during daylight hours, it bobs and bows when alarmed: A burrowing owl watched us from beside its hole.
Enclosed underground route
- undergroundBelow ground or countercultural
- excavationAct of unearthing
- denPrivate room or lair
- holeAbsence in matter
cavity · chamber · digging · earth · soil · prairie dog · ground squirrel · subterranean
Nocturnal feathered predator
- feathersBird's lightweight covering
- beakHorny avian mouthpart
- plumageBird's complete feather coat
- avianOf or concerning birds
ornithology · fledgling · nesting · species · birder · binoculars · perching · hoot
Organism that consumes others
- preyAnimal being hunted
- insectsSix-legged arthropods
- rodentsGnawing mammal order
- voleShort-tailed field rodent
grasshopper · beetle · cricket · lizard · small mammals · invertebrates · foraging · pounce
Open grassy flatland
- grasslandTreeless herb-covered ecosystem
- desertTo leave behind completely
- savannaTropical grassland, sparse trees
- pastureGrazing ground for livestock
open country · rangeland · scrubland · plains · agricultural land · golf course · airport · embankment
Obscure in meaning
- concealmentAct of hiding something
- colorationSurface hue arrangement
- mottledHaving irregular color patches
- brownDark earth tone
sandy · speckled · blend · disguise · adaptation · predation · survival · stealth
At risk of extinction
- threatenedExpressed intent to harm
- habitat lossElimination of living spaces
- population declineDecreasing number of inhabitants
- protectedKept from harm
wildlife management · breeding program · monitoring · pesticides · urban development · predator control · sanctuary · recovery
tunnel
Enclosed underground route
- undergroundBelow ground or countercultural
- excavationAct of unearthing
- denPrivate room or lair
hole · cavity · chamber · digging · earth · soil · prairie dog · ground squirrel · subterranean · warren
owl
Nocturnal feathered predator
avian · ornithology · fledgling · nesting · species · birder · binoculars · perching · hoot · wingspan
predator
Organism that consumes others
vole · grasshopper · beetle · cricket · lizard · small mammals · invertebrates · foraging · pounce · talons
prairie
Open grassy flatland
- grasslandTreeless herb-covered ecosystem
- desertTo leave behind completely
- savannaTropical grassland, sparse trees
pasture · open country · rangeland · scrubland · plains · agricultural land · golf course · airport · embankment · arid
cryptic
Obscure in meaning
- concealmentAct of hiding something
- colorationSurface hue arrangement
- mottledHaving irregular color patches
brown · sandy · speckled · blend · disguise · adaptation · predation · survival · stealth · pattern
endangered
At risk of extinction
- threatenedExpressed intent to harm
- habitat lossElimination of living spaces
- population declineDecreasing number of inhabitants
protected · wildlife management · breeding program · monitoring · pesticides · urban development · predator control · sanctuary · recovery · species protection
burrowing owlgreat horned owl
Tufted nocturnal American raptor
barred owl · great gray owl · eagle owl · long-eared owl · screech owl
burrow, burrowing, burrows, burrowed, owlish, burrower, owlishly, owlery