- Athene cunicularia
Description
Location - Fort Myers, Florida
Identification
Small owl. About 9 inches tall. Wingspan approximately 20-22 inches. Noticeable long legs, and bright golden eyes. Brown above, with white spotting and brown barring on the breast and belly. Somewhat buffy below. These owls also have prominent white eyebrows and throats. Of the two subspecies, Western hypugaea is slightly paler than floridiana in Florida. Florida birds are also more heavily spotted, with less buff underparts. A strong flyer, often seen in low, undulating flight. Burrowing Owls are also adept at hovering, fluttering like a kestrel over their prey.
