This is bird note. The burrowing owls' vocal abilities have raised eyebrows

among birders and scientists alike. Because as well as its double hoots and

other calls, the burrowing owl is known for this hair-raising sound. Standing on

almost comically long legs, this yellow-eyed owl is very active in daytime and

its hissing habit may have evolved to mimic the sibilant warning given by a

cornered rattlesnake. This sonic threat of a venomous reptile could be just

enough to warn away most unwanted visitors from the owl's nest burrow. In one

experiment, ground squirrels were nearly as alarmed by the burrowing owls' hiss as

they were by the recording of a real rattlesnake, like this one.

Despite its name, the burrowing owl doesn't do much digging though. Instead, it's more

of a squatter, nesting and roosting and vacant rodent burrows, often those of

prairie dogs, until it's time to eat. Not content with providing the burrowing

owl's accommodation, rodents, especially mice, also provide lunch. Well, they are

lunch, with a side of large insects. Before the burrowing owl retires again to its

mostly subterranean life.