burrowing owl

American  

noun

1. a long-legged terrestrial owl, Athene cunicularia, of North and South America, that digs a nesting burrow in open prairie land.

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Etymology

Origin of burrowing owl

An Americanism dating back to 1810–20

Example Sentences

In March, the center, along with the Defenders of Wildlife, the Burrowing Owl Preservation Society, the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society, the Urban Bird Foundation, the Central Valley Bird Club and the San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society, filed a petition with the commission seeking endangered or threatened status for burrowing owl populations.

From Los Angeles Times

California wildlife policymakers have opted to protect the diminutive Western burrowing owl as they consider listing the rapidly declining species as endangered or threatened.

From Los Angeles Times

The burrowing owl is a California species of special concern, a U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

“After decades of effort to safeguard declining burrowing owl populations in California, the species has finally been afforded interim state protections where they’re most needed — at least for the time being,” said Pamela Flick, California program director with Defenders of Wildlife, in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times

Advocates say the decline of the burrowing owl in California has accelerated.

From Los Angeles Times