This time, I set out to find a truly unique owl—the Burrowing Owl（Athene cunicularia）, the only owl in the world that lives by digging holes in the ground.
Burrowing Owls are widely distributed across the Americas and are diurnal, meaning they are active during the daytime.
Their most distinctive feature is their ground-dwelling lifestyle: they dig their own burrows or take over abandoned burrows made by other animals.
Since they live on the ground, dense forests with heavy undergrowth would limit their visibility and make it harder to spot approaching predators.
Instead, they prefer open landscapes like grasslands, deserts, and riverbanks where they can easily keep an eye out for danger.
Discovering Them at an Archaeological Park Near Quito
The site where I observed these owls was a park preserving archaeological ruins, located about an hour’s drive from Quito, the capital of Ecuador.
A friend had tipped me off about this spot.
In the park, there are ancient pyramids—looking more like small hills—that were built by early civilizations.
Access to these ruins is restricted to protect them, creating a quiet, undisturbed environment where Burrowing Owls thrive.
An Unexpectedly Adorable Encounter
As soon as I arrived and began observing carefully while tourists passed by to view the ruins, I spotted about eight Burrowing Owls scattered around the area!
Since they spend most of their time running on the ground, these owls have noticeably long legs compared to other owl species.
Their bright yellow eyes, characteristic of diurnal owls, were absolutely stunning.
Many were seen moving around in pairs, and their interactions were so charmingly cute that I couldn’t help but smile.
A Balanced Ecosystem Supporting the Owls
The park is also home to many alpacas, and their droppings attract a wealth of insects.
These insects, in turn, serve as an excellent food source for the Burrowing Owls.
It was fascinating to see how naturally the ecosystem was interconnected.
Most visitors were there to see the archaeological sites, and I seemed to be the only one carrying a large camera to focus on the owls.
But thanks to that, I stumbled upon a hidden gem of a birding spot, making this a truly memorable observation experience.
In Conclusion
For Burrowing Owls, having soil soft enough to dig into is absolutely essential for their way of life.
However, due to urbanization and the spread of concrete surfaces in human-inhabited areas, their numbers are said to be gradually declining.
In fact, there are regions where Burrowing Owls have disappeared completely because of widespread development.
These owls are not only fascinating but also incredibly charming.
I truly hope that we can continue to preserve environments where Burrowing Owls can live freely and safely for generations to come.
