Bird field guide · Typical Owls

Photographing the Burrowing Owl

How to photograph the Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia): the right lens for its size, shutter speeds for perched and moving animals, and when it's most often seen (January, April, May, June and July).

17–70 cm1/2000 s
Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia)
Photo: © Bill Levine, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Bill Levine via iNaturalist
17–70 cm
Typical length (family range)
1/250–1/500 s
Shutter: perched / still
1/2000 s
Shutter: action / flight
f/4–f/5.6
Aperture
23,991
Research-grade sightings in N. America
ModeManual + Auto ISOLock shutter & aperture, let ISO float
Shutter (still)1/250–1/500 s
Shutter (action)1/2000 s
Aperturef/4–f/5.6
FocusAF-C + subject/eye detectionMostly crepuscular: lean on a fast lens, high ISO and stabilisation; keep distance and avoid flash at nests.
DriveHigh-speed burst
Lens300–500 mmFull-frame equivalent

Focal length needed to frame it#

For a subject about 44 cm long filling a third or half of the frame width horizontally.

Distance⅓ of frame (FF)½ of frame (FF)⅓ of frame (APS-C)⅓ of frame (MFT)
5 m (16 ft)133 mm199 mm89 mm66 mm
10 m (33 ft)266 mm397 mm177 mm133 mm
15 m (49 ft)399 mm596 mm266 mm199 mm
20 m (66 ft)532 mm795 mm354 mm266 mm
30 m (98 ft)798 mm1,192 mm532 mm399 mm
50 m (164 ft)1,329 mm1,987 mm886 mm665 mm

When to find it#

Jan: 10% Jan Feb: 8% Feb Mar: 9% Mar Apr: 11% Apr May: 12% May Jun: 11% Jun Jul: 9% Jul Aug: 7% Aug Sep: 6% Sep Oct: 5% Oct Nov: 6% Nov Dec: 7% Dec
Share of iNaturalist observations by month across North America. Peak months: January, April, May, June and July.

About the Burrowing Owl#

The burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) is a small, long-legged owl found throughout open landscapes of North and South America. Burrowing owls can be found in grasslands, rangelands, agricultural areas, deserts, or any other open dry area with low vegetation. They nest and roost in burrows, such as those excavated by prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.).

Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Field-craft tips#

  • Never bait or call owls excessively; stay on trails.
  • A long lens (500 mm+) keeps a respectful distance.
  • Mostly crepuscular: lean on a fast lens, high ISO and stabilisation; keep distance and avoid flash at nests.
  • Sightings peak in January, April, May, June and July, which is when you'll have the most chances.

Ethics#

  • The welfare of the animal comes first: if it changes its behaviour because of you, you are too close.
  • Stay on trails, respect closures around nests, leks, dens and haul-outs.
  • Avoid playback and baiting in sensitive seasons; never bait predators.
  • Don't share precise locations of rare, nesting or roosting animals publicly.

More Typical Owls#

Great Horned Owl Great Horned OwlBubo virginianus Barred Owl Barred OwlStrix varia Eastern Screech-OwlMegascops asio Snowy Owl Snowy OwlBubo scandiacus Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl Ferruginous Pygmy-OwlGlaucidium brasilianum Short-eared OwlAsio flammeus Western Screech-Owl Western Screech-OwlMegascops kennicottii Northern Saw-whet Owl Northern Saw-whet OwlAegolius acadicus

Frequently asked questions#

What lens do I need to photograph a Burrowing Owl?

At about 44 cm long, a burrowing owl fills a third of a full-frame image at 10 m with roughly 266 mm, or at 20 m with 532 mm.

What shutter speed should I use for a Burrowing Owl?

1/250–1/500 s when it's still; 1/2000 s for action.

When is the best time to photograph a Burrowing Owl?

Observations in North America peak in January, April, May, June and July. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and activity.

Sources & licences#

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources