Typical Owls (Strigidae)

Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) - HBW 5, p. 227

French: Chevêche des terriers German: Kaninchenkauz Spanish: Mochuelo de Madriguera

Taxonomy: Strix Cunicularia Molina, 1782, Chile.
Sometimes placed in separate monotypic genus Speotyto on basis of morphological and karyotypic differences, but osteological features and DNA support inclusion in Athene. Some of the races described could reflect merely individual variation or intergrading populations, and thus probably not acceptable; subspecific taxa and delimitations require critical re-evaluation with modern systematic methods, although some certainly appear distinct. Lesser Antilles races amaura and guadeloupensis extinct. Nineteen extant subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution: