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Management Implications | |
| Home Range and Distribution Habitat Nesting and Brood Rearing Population Threats Management References Pictures Links |
In the light of wide range habitat loss, the
preservation of local breeding areas has become extremely important. In 1998, the Rocky
Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge (RMANWR), a 17 square mile refuge just northeast
of Denver, CO, housed approximately 56 breeding pairs with a minimum of 206 young on
approximately 10 square miles of area. In 1999, the same area housed approximately 50
nests which produced at least 191 young (Mindy Hetrick, RMANWR, Commerce City, CO, pers.
commun.). This refuge has a present population of about 3000 hectares of active
black-tailed prairie dog town. A loss of such an area would be extremely detrimental to
the entire regional population. Fortunately for species such as the black-tailed prairie dog and those that rely on it, the burrowing owl serves as an umbrella species. Managing for the preservation of this friendly and comical bird will ensure the health and safety of those that rely on a diverse prairie habitat.
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