The California Department of Fish and Wildlife seeks data and public comment on a petition to list the western burrowing owl under the California Endangered Species Act. The deadline for submission is Feb. 15, 2025.
The western burrowing owl faces habitat loss from urban and suburban development; ground squirrel population decline; changes in agricultural practices; pesticide poisoning and predation. Historically, the owl was found across California in wide lowland valley bottoms, flat coastal lowlands and interior deserts. Currently, the western burrowing owl population is most abundant in the Imperial Valley and parts of the Central Valley.
Burrowing owls are small owls that breed and roost in underground burrows, which are typically created by ground squirrels. They live in grasslands, shrublands and deserts, but also occur in human-altered landscapes such as agricultural lands, golf courses and cattle pastures. Burrowing owls need areas of short vegetation where they hunt for insects and small rodents.
March 5, 2024, 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 the San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society submitted a petition to the California Fish and Game Commission to list the western burrowing owl as a threatened or endangered species under CESA.
The commission published its findings Oct. 25. The western burrowing owl now receives the same legal protection given to an endangered or threatened species.
Beginning Oct. 25, CDFW has 12 months to conduct a status review for the commission’s final decision. As part of the status review process, CDFW wants to receive information about the species’ ecology, genetics, life history, distribution, abundance, habitat, the degree and immediacy of threats to its reproduction or survival; the adequacy of existing management and recommendations for species management.
The Feb. 15 date will allow time to evaluate information during the status review period. Submit data and comments to CDFW by email at [email protected] and include “Western Burrowing Owl” in the subject line. Data or comments may also be submitted by mail to California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Wildlife Diversity Program, Attn: Anne Hilborn, P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090.
CDFW will produce a peer reviewed report and include a recommendation as to whether the petitioned action is warranted. The report will be publicly available on CDFW’s website for at least 30 days before there is action on the petition.
The commission, a separate legal entity, has responsibility for the final decision. CDFW serves in a scientific advisory role to the commission during this process. The petition, evaluation report and updates are on the commission’s webpage. Additional information about submitting comments and receiving email alerts about upcoming meetings is also available on the website.
Information provided by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife
