Vegetation and soils of burrowing owl nest sites in Conata Basin, South Dakota

James G. MacCracken; Daniel Uresk; Richard M. Hansen

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Vegetation and soils of burrowing owl nest sites in Conata Basin, South Dakota

Informally Refereed

Authors:

James G. MacCracken, Daniel Uresk, Richard M. Hansen

Year:

1985

Type:

Miscellaneous Publication

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

Source:

The condor, 87: 152-154

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Abstract

Burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia) in southwestern South Dakota frequently use the burrows of black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) for nesting and escape cover. Coulombe (1971) emphasized the importance of understanding the role of burrow selection in relation to owl behavior, physiology, and overall ecology. He also suggested that availability of burrow sites may be the critical factor in Burrowing Owl population dynamics.

Keywords

Athene cunicularia, Cynomys ludovicianus, burrowing, nesting, South Dakota

Citation

MacCracken, James G.; Uresk, Daniel W.; Hansen, Richard M. 1985. Vegetation and soils of burrowing owl nest sites in Conata Basin, South Dakota. The condor, 87: 152-154