The owls nest ing in California are primarily year-round residents. They require open habitats that contain suitable nesting burrows, usually with short grasses and sparse shrubs. Owls avoid thick, tall vegetation, brush, and trees, perhaps because these areas provide places for predators to hide. Native grassland habitat is disappearing from development and invasion by non-native plant species. Burrowing owls are being forced to rely on less natural habitat for survival.
Reproduction begins the year after hatching.
Females lay up to 12 eggs and incubate them for almost four weeks. Males bring food to the females during the incubation period. He also brings food for the chicks and mother during the early nestling stages. The young are capable of short flights by week 4, and fly well at week 6. They are still fed by their parents for another 6-8 weeks, and remain near their nest burrow until fall.