Burrowing owl couples stay close to the entrance of their nests.

Most owls are nocturnal, carnivorous, and nest in trees or man-made boxes. But there is an owl named the burrowing owl that is active during the day, nests in burrows dug by prairie dogs or ground squirrels, and eats principally insects but also hunts small rodents.

Nestlings venture outside their burrows.

The small brown birds have long legs, spotted breasts, and dark brown bars across the belly. They also have white throats and eyebrows as well as yellow eyes. The males and females are the same size: length: 7.5–9.8 inches, weight: 5.3 ounces, and wingspan: 21.6 inches.

Fledglings exercise and frolic in the grassland not far from the burrows.

Left: a hovering owl stares with curiosity. Right: an adult guards with a menacing look.