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Riding the Air

This young Burrowing Owl is six weeks old, and is now flying well. S/he is one of six that were born and have all survived, thanks to attentive parents and enough food that the parents can catch for them. This one has already started to catch bugs, but his or her parents will still be helping to feed and care of her or him for some time to come.

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, near Greeley, Colorado.

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