The Florida Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia floridana) is a small, long-legged owl that nests in underground burrows in open, low-vegetation habitats such as prairies, pastures, vacant lots, and parks. In Florida, owls use burrows year-round, with breeding from February 15 to July 10. This species is State Threatened and protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Under the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) updated permitting guidelines (2025), permitting decisions now use burrow centroids (the average location of all potentially occupied burrows within 150 feet of each other) rather than a single burrow entrance. Significant habitat modification remains defined as the loss of more than 50% of total foraging habitat within 1,970 feet, but this is now measured from the centroid, making the analysis geometric and tied to clusters rather than individual burrows. These “burrow clusters” are also now used in mitigation, with certain financial contributions assessed per cluster rather than per burrow.
Survey requirements have also been refined. Project-planning surveys now require at least two phases: one within 90 days before permit submittal and another at least 30 days after submittal. A pre-activity survey is recommended within 48 hours before work starts, coordinated with project phasing, and procedures are now specified if owls return after the survey. For mitigation, any on-site starter or artificial burrows must be installed at least seven days before work begins (unless otherwise justified). Posting/habitat buffers and reporting requirements are required throughout the duration of the permit.
Pale Blue Dot staff includes an FWC Permitted Burrow Owl Agents, with expertise in burrowing owl behavior, surveying methodology, protection, and permitting. If burrowing owls or suitable habitat are present on a site, contact us today to coordinate surveys, map burrow centroids, coordinate with FWC, and guide compliance or permitting to minimize project delays while meeting protection requirements.