Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Join us on a visit to the Burrow at the Archibald Biodiversity Centre (ABC) to learn about our burrowing owl head-starting program! 🦉
What is head-starting? Burrowing owls hatch sequentially, so the oldest chic has a much better chance of survival than the youngest owl in the clutch. In head-starting, the youngest chick which is least likely to survive is taken under human care over winter, giving it a chance to grow and build its strength. 💪 This species makes an annual migration from the Canadian prairies to Mexico, and head-started owls have the chance to grow big and strong for the migration they will make in their second year.
Burrowing owls were once common across the Canadian prairies. This year, 70 fledglings were hatched - the next generation of owls born to adults released through this head-starting program. 💕
Want to learn more about our work with burrowing owls? Visit @wilderinstitute
#YourZooYYC #WilderTogether
Join us on a visit to the Burrow at the Archibald Biodiversity Centre (ABC) to learn about our burrowing owl head-starting program! 🦉
What is head-starting? Burrowing owls hatch sequentially, so the oldest chic has a much better chance of survival than the youngest owl in the clutch. In head-starting, the youngest chick which is least likely to survive is taken under human care over winter, giving it a chance to grow and build its strength. 💪 This species makes an annual migration from the Canadian prairies to Mexico, and head-started owls have the chance to grow big and strong for the migration they will make in their second year.
Burrowing owls were once common across the Canadian prairies. This year, 70 fledglings were hatched - the next generation of owls born to adults released through this head-starting program. 💕
Want to learn more about our work with burrowing owls? Visit @wilderinstitute
#YourZooYYC #WilderTogether
