burrowing owl
noun
: a small diurnal chiefly ground-dwelling American owl (Athene cunicularia) of grassland and desert regions that roosts and nests in burrows
Examples of burrowing owl in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The organization hopes to reintroduce more species, such as the burrowing owl, to the island.
—
Cameron Pugh, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Nov. 2023
For some at-risk species that have lost most of their native Florida habitat to development, like the burrowing owl and the Florida grasshopper sparrow, ranches represent some of the last scraps of habitat for them.
—Stephanie Castellano, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Aug. 2023
In other bird news, Vox’s Benji Jones has a fascinating story on burrowing owls in California’s Imperial Valley.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2023
Songbirds, limpkins and woodpeckers are also noisily making sure they are heard, while burrowing owls are popping up in open pastures.
—Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 10 Apr. 2023
The burrowing owl lives its life the opposite of most owls.
—Megan Marples, CNN, 10 Feb. 2023
Every simple fact, from the burrowing owl’s strikingly persuasive imitation of a rattlesnake’s warning to Darlington’s own lavish curiosity, requires no supporting argument.
—Melissa Holbrook Pierson, Washington Post, 6 Feb. 2023
As far as wild animals go, the western burrowing owl is a tolerant neighbor to humans.
—New York Times, 1 Feb. 2022
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Cameron Pugh, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Nov. 2023
For some at-risk species that have lost most of their native Florida habitat to development, like the burrowing owl and the Florida grasshopper sparrow, ranches represent some of the last scraps of habitat for them.
—Stephanie Castellano, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Aug. 2023
In other bird news, Vox’s Benji Jones has a fascinating story on burrowing owls in California’s Imperial Valley.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2023
Songbirds, limpkins and woodpeckers are also noisily making sure they are heard, while burrowing owls are popping up in open pastures.
—Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 10 Apr. 2023
The burrowing owl lives its life the opposite of most owls.
—Megan Marples, CNN, 10 Feb. 2023
Every simple fact, from the burrowing owl’s strikingly persuasive imitation of a rattlesnake’s warning to Darlington’s own lavish curiosity, requires no supporting argument.
—Melissa Holbrook Pierson, Washington Post, 6 Feb. 2023
As far as wild animals go, the western burrowing owl is a tolerant neighbor to humans.
—New York Times, 1 Feb. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'burrowing owl.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1823, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near burrowing owl
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“Burrowing owl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/burrowing%20owl. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.
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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about burrowing owl
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