6. Burrowing Owl

HOT SPOT: Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center, Arizona

Looking at the burrowing owl range map, you’d think there was a mistake. It’s hard to believe that a bird so widespread in the West is also found in southern Florida, but that’s the case. The owls in Florida dig their own burrows, while the ones out west tend to move into prairie dog towns or burrows abandoned by badgers, ground squirrels or desert tortoises. These small owls are awake during the day more than most and are seen hunting insects and small vertebrates in the open areas they call home.