Cape Coral's Burrowing Owls

Cape Coral is home to Florida's largest population of Burrowing Owls. When development first began in the area of Cape Coral and the land was clear-cut for homes, these owls found suitable habitat in the sandy soil of freshly cleared lots and set up residence.



Aptly named, the owls either create new or make use of abandoned burrows to live in and nest. They stand approximately nine inches tall and weigh roughly four ounces. Active both during day and night, they can often be seen either peering out of their burrow or standing atop the small mound of sand over it.




Many Cape Coral residents help protect their feathered neighbors by placing stakes around the burrow with a string perimeter.



Sometimes a “T” stake is placed behind the burrow for the birds to perch on.



The Cape Coral population is estimated at more than 1,000 pairs.