The burrowing owl is endangered in Canada, with a population of less than 1000 pairs. It lives in burrows formerly occupied by small mammals in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. The owl is threatened by habitat loss and poisoning from pest control. Farmers can help by setting aside small areas for burrows away from crops and avoiding pesticides. With cooperation, the burrowing owl's declining numbers can be reversed.

1. {
Endangered:
The Burrowing Owl
English 10-1 ~ “Butterflies Make Better Canaries”
Jaclyn Knol

2.  Extinct - A species no longer in existence
anywhere on the planet.
 Endangered - a species seriously in danger of
becoming extinct or extirpated.
 Extirpated - A species that does not exist in a
certain region, or area but still lives in other
places.
 Threatened - A species that is threatened or likely
to becoming endangered in the future.
 Vulnerable - A particular species becoming at risk
because of declining numbers, but is not
threatened yet.
Definitions

3. Here are a few facts about the burrowing owl:
 Located in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba
 Live three to four years
 The population estimate is less than 1000 pairs in
Canada
 23-28 cm tall
 The burrowing owl’s diet varies between small
mammals, insects, birds, reptiles and amphibians
 The burrowing owl lives in holes that were formerly
for other small animals, but no longer lived in
The Fact’s: Burrowing Owl

4. There are many reasons that the burrowing owls
have become endangered. A few are listed here:
 Habitat loss
 Poisoning from other “pest” animals that have
been killed
 The are prey animals, hunted and hunters
 Not enough food supply
How is the burrowing owl
endangered?

5. In further research of the burrowing owl,
I discovered that it seemed hard for ordinary
people to help the. Some facts I found seemed to
be hard for most regular farmers to
accommodate. Such as the habitat issue;
burrowing owls need habitat where they can
have their burrows, but those burrows are built
by prairie dogs, gophers and more. These animals
are nuisances to any regular farmer. And by
trying to avoid the holes in their fields, they kill
off these nuisances by either poisoning them or
ridding of them some other way. The burrowing
owls can die from eating the poisoned meat of
these poisoned animals.
Assessing the Problem

6. With living on a farm, I know how
annoying these pests can be, so how can
farmers provide a place to live for the
burrowing owl, without having their
fields filled with holes, crops eaten and
land destroyed?
It is hard to provide a habitat for these
owl’s when they could be in danger
where they live or if they live in the
fields you have crops in.
How?

7. Here are some ideas for helping the burrowing owls:
 Instead of letting holes invade your whole field, set off a
little part in your pivot corners or along the land of your
fence lines where they won’t be harmed
 Don’t poison your pests, if they are an incredible
nuisance, find a different way where they owls won’t be
poisoned or harmed
 Help provide food for them if there is little
 Provide a friendly environment in the place you choose
for them to live.
And, if they are taking up the fields you need to use, call
Alberta Fish and Wildlife, or the Alberta Birds of Prey. They
will help you safely evacuate your area, and relocate the
owls somewhere else.
Save the Owls!
A New Approach

8. If we all helped in providing a place for these owls, we
could change their future.
If you don’t have any land for them to live on, but you still
want to help, here are some ideas:
1. Learn more about the burrowing owl and its habitat
and what you can do to help it survive, spread
awareness in your area of what others can do to help.
2. Support groups and individuals who are working to
save the burrowing owl, or help them find a solution
3. Encourage farmers and other landowners not to
disturb areas in which burrowing owls live, and if they
must, help them contact professionals to help move the
owls to a safer location, without harming them.
See more at: http://naturecanada.ca/what-we-do/naturevoice/endangered-
species/know-our-species/burrowing-owl/#sthash.jMIfDddX.dpuf
What Can I Do?!

9. There’s still time! Let’s work
together to save these owls
before it runs out!

10.  "Pieces of the World – A Photography
Blog." Pieces of the World A Photography Blog.
N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.
 "Burrowing Owl." Nature Canada. N.p., n.d.
Web. 02 Dec. 2015.
 "Problems Facing Burrowing Owls." -
Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre.
N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.
 "Burrowing Owl." Facts for Kids. N.p., n.d. Web.
02 Dec. 2015.
Bibliography