TPW TV-OWLS UNDERGROUND: Ever wonder how the 
burrowing owl got its name [02 “…holes underground.”] Meet 
this little raptor ahead on Passport to Texas.

This is Passport to Texas (July 29)

Birds don’t get much cuter than the burrowing owl. And 
you won’t have to stay up past your bedtime to see one. 

05—One of the great things about these owls is [unlike most owls] 
they’re out during the day; they’re active day and night. 

The week of July 31, get to know this small sandy colored 
owl with long legs during a segment of the TPW TV series 
on PBS. Alan Fisher produced a story that looks at how 
this species, threatened and endangered in some part of 
North America, survives its dwindling habitat in El Paso. 

17— So, they’re a species of concern here because of habitat loss. 
Burrowing owls don’t tend to dig their own burrows from scratch. They 
will occupy burrows left from prairie dogs or ground squirrels or other 
burrowing animals. So, as those animals get pushed out burrowing 
owls lose their habitat as well.
 
Fisher also talks with TPW biologist Lois Balin, who 
creates artificial owl nest borrows fitted with video 
surveillance systems. 

07—Having the cameras underground, gives the biologists a lot of new 
tools. It’s pretty awesome.

Not surprisingly, says Fisher, the cameras are revealing 
much about the hidden lives of burrowing owls, from the 
number of eggs and nestlings, to prey items, and even 
visitors.

10— The skunk discovery is the rather astonishing discovery. Skunks 
are going into the burrows and occupying them, and in some cases 
preying on the owls.

To find out how the burrowing owls fare, tune into the 
TPW TV series on PBS the week of July 31. Check your 
local listings. For Texas Parks and Wildlife, I’m Cecilia 
Nasti.

Total sound bite time:			0:39.0
Maximum Script time:			0:46.0	         	          Suggested show time: 85.0 = 1:25