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Coming in for a Landing

This young Burrowing Owl is about seven weeks old, and is now flying very well. S/he is one of five that have survived, thanks to attentive parents and enough food that the parents can catch for them. They can all now fly wherever they want, and they can land with precision. From this high perch on the mullein s/he can more easily see grasshoppers and other potential prey.

Burrowing owls are born underground in burrows, often these are burrows built by prairie dogs. They hunt crickets, grasshoppers, and other bugs, as well as small mammals such as mice, and small reptiles. They are excellent parents, bringing food to their babies until the young ones are hunting bugs for themselves, and even afterwards for a while.

Photo taken on July 15, 2020, near Greeley, Colorado.