Habitat Burrowing owls are found from Canada to South America. They mostly inhabit the Western United States and have a distinct population in Florida. In California, burrowing owls are mostly found in grasslands. Burrowing owls can be year-round residents or migratory, depending on where they live. Little is known about where the birds actually migrate to, but California appears to be the most popular state for burrowing owls during the wintertime.
Owls nesting in California are primarily year-round residents.
Approximately 70-80 percent of burrowing owls found in California reside in Imperial County. They require open habitats that contain suitable nesting burrows, usually with short grasses and sparse shrubs. Owls avoid thick, tall vegetation, brush, and trees, because these areas provide places for predators to hide. As native grassland habitat disappears from development and invasion by non-native plant species, Burrowing owls are being forced to rely on less natural habitat for survival. Like the name suggests, Burrowing owls nest in burrows.