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

See Examples For:

burrowing owl

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 ● Oct. 14, 2024

The group is already carrying out feasibility studies in the hope of reintroducing species found on Redonda many years ago, such as the burrowing owl, a small sandy-coloured bird that nests underground.

From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2023

A burrowing owl was rescued after spending two weeks aboard the world’s second-largest cruise ship, Florida wildlife officials announced Tuesday.

From Washington Times ● Mar. 9, 2023

Murray the burrowing owl nobly fulfills his job as “a coach to help us feel something about ourselves,” but he neither asked for nor understands the role into which he was conscripted.

From Washington Post ● Feb. 6, 2023

He was good at browsing the Internet, so with no difficulty he was able to Google up plenty of information about the burrowing owl.

From "Hoot" by Carl Hiaasen