There's a lot about burrowing owls that distinguish them from their wise cousins. Instead of sleeping in trees, they make their homes in the ground, often taking over tunnels abandoned by ground squirrels or prairie dogs. They're also one of the smallest owl species, measuring about 23cm. Unlike other birds, they ward off predators by making rattling and hissing sounds, like rattlesnakes. And these owls are most active during the daytime, when other owls are snoozing.
