The head is spotted. Facial disk less distinct than in other owls. Ventrally, brown horizontal bars from neck to belly.
Legs are long and very sparsely feathered.
Dorsally, the brown back is spotted with white. Juveniles are similar to adults, except the head is plain brown, the upper chest has a dark tan band, and the lower chest and belly are whitish. Rangelands and prairie. Begins nesting in April. Also, burrowing owls are capable of doing some digging themselves.