The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is seeking data and public comments on a petition to list the western burrowing owl under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA).
The western burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) faces threats that include habitat loss due to urban and suburban development, ground squirrel population decline, changes in agricultural practices, pesticide poisoning and predation.
The species was historically found broadly 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. These burrows are primarily created by ground squirrels, so a population of ground squirrels is generally present in high quality burrowing owl habitat. They live in grasslands, shrublands and deserts, but also occur in human-altered landscapes like agricultural lands, golf courses and cattle pastures. Burrowing owls need areas of short vegetation in which to hunt for insects and small rodents.
On 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 Bernadino 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 the findings of its decision to make the species a candidate for listing on Oct. 25, 2024, and as such, the western burrowing owl now receives the same legal protection afforded to an endangered or threatened species (Fish and Game Code sections 2074.2 and 2085).
As of Oct. 25, 2024, CDFW has 12 months to conduct a status review that will inform the Commission’s final decision on whether to list western burrowing owl as threatened or endangered under CESA. As part of the status review process, CDFW is soliciting information regarding 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 management of the species.
CDFW requests that data and comments be submitted before Feb. 15, 2025, to allow sufficient time to evaluate this information during the status review period. Submit data and comments to CDFW by email at wildlifemgt@wildlife.ca.gov 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 based upon the best scientific information available, which will include a recommendation as to whether the petitioned action to list western burrowing owl as threatened or endangered under CESA is warranted (Fish and Game Code section 2074.6). The report will be made publicly available on CDFW’s website for at least 30 days before the Commission considers acting on the petition. The Commission — which is a legally separate entity from CDFW — is charged with making the final determination on whether to list a species as endangered or threatened under CESA (Fish and Game Code section 2075.5). CDFW serves in a scientific advisory role to the Commission during this process. See the California Fish and Game Commission webpage for details on submitting comments to the Commission and receiving email alerts for upcoming Commission meetings.
The listing petition, CDFW’s petition evaluation report and updates on the listing process are available on the Commission’s website.
