The Burrowing is a variety of different shades of brown, ranging from light to dark.  Photo by Mike Quaintance.

When looking at our educational Burrowing Owl on display at Festival of the Cranes in Monte Vista, CO earlier in March, it is easy to discern the bird against the whitish background.  It seems that no one could miss the fact that there was a bird perched right in front of their eyes.  But, is this always true?

Wild Burrowing Owl in a grassland with green vegetation.  Photo by Charles Cummings.

In this image, the owl is still rather obvious.

Disappearing owl. Image by Charles Cummings.

When threatened, Burrowing Owls retreat into their underground burrows with only the tops of their heads above ground.  In this situation, the owl would be nearly invisible to the casual passerby.

The brown plumage of the Burrowing Owl helps it to blend into its surroundings.

This Burrowing Owl, photographed standing in front of its burrow on the side of an arroyo, has plumage that matches the soil.  It it were to crouch down, it would be difficult to detect.

Burrowing Owl. Image by Mike Stake.

Finally, this close-up image, shows how well this owl blends in with the background.  If it weren’t for the bright yellow eyes, you might never know it was there!