California’s Burrowing Owls Are One Step Closer To Endangered Species Act Protection

The California Fish and Game Commission unanimously voted to protect western burrowing owls throughout California as a “candidate” species under the California Endangered Species Act.

“After decades of effort to safeguard declining burrowing owl populations in California, the species has finally been afforded interim state protections where they’re most needed — at least for the time being,” said Pamela Flick, California program director with Defenders of Wildlife. “With burrowing owls no longer found in one-third of their former territory statewide, these temporary protections aren’t coming a moment too soon.”

Burrowing owls statewide will be protected while the California Department of Fish and Wildlife conducts a full status review, which could last 12 to 18 months. The commission will then vote on whether to protect the burrowing owls as endangered or threatened under state law.

“At long last, there’s a glimmer of hope for California’s rapidly disappearing burrowing owls, who desperately need protection,” said Jeff Miller, a senior conservation advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity. “Burrowing owls have dwindled and vanished at an alarming rate around the state as their homes are bulldozed for irresponsible sprawl development. I’m thrilled they’re safeguarded for now and look forward to these adorable little owls getting permanent protection.”

In March, the Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife, Burrowing Owl Preservation Society, Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society, Urban Bird Foundation, Central Valley Bird Club, and San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society filed a petition with the state commission seeking endangered or threatened status for imperiled burrowing owl populations.

Burrowing owls, the only owl species that nests and roosts underground, have sadly suffered significant habitat loss due to sprawl development, conversion of grasslands to agricultural lands, and large-scale wind and solar energy infrastructure development. The eradication of ground-dwelling squirrels and other mammals, whose burrows serve as nesting and roosting sites for these owls, has further threatened their existence. These striking birds also fall victim to rodenticides, as well as collisions with wind turbines and vehicles.

Protecting burrowing owls under the California Endangered Species Act would require state and local agencies to manage these threats. That would include ending the state policy that allows owls to be removed from lands slated for development. It could also require more robust mitigation for habitat loss.