Burrowing Owls Find New Home in Suburban Backyard

Wildlife experts relocate threatened species to safer environment

Burrowing owls, a threatened species in many parts of the world, have found a new home in the suburban backyard of a family in San Jose, California. The owls, which are known for their distinctive habit of nesting in burrows, were discovered by the family in their backyard in early March.

The family contacted the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), which sent a team of wildlife experts to assess the situation. The CDFW team determined that the owls were in good health and had established a nest in a burrow under a shed in the backyard.

The CDFW team also determined that the owls were at risk from predators, including dogs, cats, and coyotes. The team worked with the family to install a fence around the backyard and to remove potential hazards from the area.

The CDFW team also banded the owls with leg bands so that they could be tracked and monitored. The team will continue to monitor the owls and provide support to the family as needed.