Santa Clara Valley Audubon

Losing Ground: The California Burrowing Owl

The diminutive burrowing owl nests and rears its young in burrows, and can live somewhat harmoniously with people and housing developments, if given just a little room all its own. In Silicone Valley, where many these little owls have lived and thrived for hundreds of years, wall-yo-wall construction of housing, shopping centers, and industrial parks are driving the burrowing owls out. The Santa Clara Audubon Society is working with local government and officlals to designate burrowing owl habitat.