If you spend any time in Cape Coral, you eventually notice them—small, alert, and impossibly charming. Burrowing Owls stand only about nine inches tall, but they carry themselves like they own the neighborhood. Perched beside their sandy burrows or balanced on a tiny wooden perch, they watch the world with bright yellow eyes that miss nothing.
Unlike most owls, these little Floridians are out and about during the day. You’ll see them blinking in the morning sun, stretching their wings, or bobbing their heads in that curious way they do when something catches their attention. Their burrows—often dug right into open lots, fields, and even front yards—make them one of the most visible and beloved birds in Cape Coral.
They’re also surprisingly social, nesting in loose colonies and raising their fluffy, wide‑eyed chicks right out in the open where locals can watch them grow.
Cape Coral is home to one of the largest urban populations of Burrowing Owls in Florida, and the community has embraced them. Protected markers, volunteer monitoring, and annual festivals all help ensure these charismatic birds continue to thrive.