Western burrowing owls have become much less abundant in the state and may be classified as endangered.
The western burrowing owl, the only breeding subspecies of burrowing owl in western North America, were once abundant in arid grasslands and shrublands including the Okanogan Valley. But the bird has declined significantly and is now considered extirpated in the Okanogan Valley and much of central and eastern Washington.
Today, there are fewer than 100 breeding pairs in the state, primarily in the Yakima Valley and Columbia Basin, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), which is seeking input on a recommendation to classify the bird as an endangered species.
Burrowing owls are small, with a total length of 7.5 to 10 inches. Males and females are similar in size and appearance. The owl has a round head with bright yellow eyes and white eyebrows, but no ear tufts. The owls eat arthropods, small mammals, birds and reptiles, with insects making up the largest part of their diet.
Habitat loss and destruction are considered responsible for the dramatic decline in the owls’ population. The owls nest in burrows but they don’t dig burrows themselves — instead, they take advantage of burrows dug by other wildlife, including badgers and ground squirrels.
Burrowing owls are typically found in Washington from early March through late September, before they migrate to California for the winter.
Although the owl was once abundant along the Okanogan River, WDFW researchers found a pronounced decline in the owls’ population in Okanogan County starting in 1987. Surveys in the 1990s found almost no owls in historical nest sites in the county, nor in Douglas, Grant, Adams or Franklin counties, according to the WDFW status report on the owls.
By 2024-2025, WDFW biologists couldn’t confirm any breeding burrowing owls in eight counties, including Okanogan.
The burrowing owl is currently classified as a species of greatest conservation need by the State Wildlife Action Plan.
People can find more information about the owl and the current status report on the WDFW website at wdfw.wa.gov.
People can submit comments to TandEpubliccom@dfw.wa.gov through Dec. 31. WDFW staff will brief the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission, which is expected to consider the endangered listing at its February 2027 meeting.
