International Owl Awareness Day: Working Together to Protect Canada’s Owls

Happy International Owl Awareness Day!

Owls are some of the world’s most fascinating birds. With over 250 species found around the globe, they’re known for their incredible hearing, silent flight, swivelling heads, and large forward-facing eyes. Unfortunately, many owl species are facing increasing threats due to habitat loss and climate change.

One species in particular, the Western Burrowing Owl, is endangered in Canada.

Over the past 30 years, Canada’s Western Burrowing Owl population has declined dramatically, from more than 3,000 breeding pairs to fewer than 800. To help reverse this trend, conservation breeding and reintroduction programs have been established in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

Earlier this year, African Lion Safari was proud to partner with BC Wildlife Park and the Burrowing Owl Conservation Society of BC on a collaborative research project. (Read more about that project here.) As part of this partnership, one of our Research team members had the opportunity to visit a Burrowing Owl release site in British Columbia and see this important conservation work firsthand.

Within the conservation breeding program, breeding pairs of Burrowing Owls are maintained in professional care. Juvenile owls hatched each spring remain in the program until they’re ready to be released into the wild during the following summer.

Each year, the Burrowing Owl Conservation Society of BC raises approximately 50–80 juvenile Burrowing Owls, releasing them at carefully selected sites across British Columbia.

Unlike most owl species that nest in trees, Burrowing Owls make their homes underground. While they are capable of digging their own burrows, they often take over abandoned burrows created by animals such as badgers or prairie dogs.

To help improve the owls’ chances of survival after reintroduction, conservation staff construct artificial burrows throughout the release sites.

Checking band IDs (left): Before release, each owl receives a unique combination of coloured and numbered leg bands, allowing researchers to identify individuals and monitor their movements after release.

Artificial burrow (right): Released owls can choose from both natural and artificial burrows. Some individuals even return to the same burrow after migration and will nest in the artificial burrows again.

Before each owl is released, conservation staff complete health assessments, including checking feather condition to ensure they’re ready for life in the wild. Juvenile Burrowing Owls are typically born between April and June and by July or August are already close to adult size. One easy way to tell juveniles and adults apart is by looking at their chests. Juveniles have a plain grey-brown chest, while adults develop distinctive brown streaking.

While Burrowing Owls are not found in Ontario, we are fortunate to share our province with several owl species that also need our help. Both the Barn Owl and the Short-eared Owl are species at risk in Ontario, with habitat loss remaining one of their greatest challenges.

Here’s how you can help:

Support local conservation efforts. Many conservation organizations rely on volunteers to help restore habitat, install nest boxes, and monitor wildlife populations.

Learn about native owl species. Visit the Birds of Prey Conservation Centre or watch the daily educational Birds of Prey Flying Demonstration at African Lion Safari to meet a Barn Owl and discover how to identify Ontario’s owls.

Every action, no matter how small, helps protect wildlife for future generations.

African Lion Safari is proud to support collaborative conservation initiatives that help protect endangered wildlife both here in Canada and around the world.

A special thank you to Lauren Meads and the Burrowing Owl Conservation Society of BC and BC Wildlife Park, for collaborating with our Research team and for the opportunity to visit a Burrowing Owl release site.

To learn more about the Burrowing Owl Conservation Society of BC or to support their conservation efforts, visit their website.