Wildlife Officials Seek Public Input on Protecting the Western Burrowing Owl
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is inviting public comments and data submissions regarding a petition to protect the western burrowing owl under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA).
The petition, submitted by multiple conservation groups in March 2024, seeks to list the western burrowing owl as a threatened or endangered species due to threats such as habitat loss, pesticide poisoning, and predation.
Historically found throughout California, the western burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) has experienced significant population declines. Once common across lowland valley bottoms, coastal areas, and deserts, its numbers are now concentrated in the Imperial Valley and parts of the Central Valley.
This unique species of small owl roosts and nests in underground burrows, often created by ground squirrels, and relies on open grasslands, shrublands, and even human-modified landscapes like golf courses and agricultural fields.
The California Fish and Game Commission recently granted candidate status to the species, affording it temporary protections similar to those of threatened or endangered species. CDFW now has a year to conduct a status review to inform the Commission’s final decision.
CDFW encourages the public to submit information regarding the owl’s habitat, population, and threats by February 15, 2025. Submissions can be emailed to wildlifemgt@wildlife.ca.gov (subject line: “Western Burrowing Owl”) or mailed to the CDFW Wildlife Diversity Program in Sacramento. The final report will be publicly available on CDFW’s website before the Commission makes its decision.
