Athene cunicularia

The burrowing owl has a bevy of appropriate names. It's commonly called "prairie-dog owl" and "tunnel owl," while its scientific name, cunicularia, is Latin for "mine" or "miner." Marked by white eyebrows, a white chin stripe, and long legs that allow it to run down passing beetles, the burrowing owl often nests in abandoned prairiedog tunnels. Burrowing owls have been declining throughout most of their range because of the loss of prairie lands. Along with black-footed ferrets, the burrowing owl relies on prairie dogs and their habitat to continue in healthy populations.

western burrowing owl (subspecies) is a federal species of concern