Cape Coral Burrowing Owls
Where To See Them & Fun Facts
Cape Coral is famous for canals, sunshine, boating, and Gulf Coast living but one of its most charming local celebrities is much smaller, fluffier, and easier to miss if you’re not paying attention.
The Florida burrowing owl is a tiny, long-legged owl that lives underground in open grassy areas, vacant lots, parks, golf courses, schoolyards, and neighborhoods.
Unlike many owls, burrowing owls are often active during the day, which makes Cape Coral one of the best places in Florida to spot them in the wild.
In fact, Cape Coral is so connected to these little owls that the city adopted the Florida burrowing owl as its official city bird. If you’re planning a Southwest Florida trip, love birdwatching, or simply want to see one of Florida’s cutest protected animals, Cape Coral is a fun place to add to your list.
Coming Up:
- Why Cape Coral Is Famous for Burrowing Owls
- Best Places to See Burrowing Owls in Cape Coral
- Fun Facts About Burrowing Owls
- Are Burrowing Owls Protected in Florida?
- Do Burrowing Owls Affect Real Estate and Development?
- Burrowing Owls as Local Symbols and Mascots
- Where to Stay Near Cape Coral Burrowing Owls
- Books and Gifts for Burrowing Owl Lovers
- Final Thoughts
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Why Cape Coral Is Famous for Burrowing Owls
Cape Coral is one of the best-known places in Florida to see burrowing owls because the city has so many open lots, grassy areas, parks, and residential spaces that can work as owl habitat.
Unlike owls that live high in trees, burrowing owls live in underground burrows. In Florida, they may dig their own burrows or use burrows created by other animals. Their small size, sandy-brown coloring, long legs, and bright yellow eyes make them easy to love once you spot one standing near the entrance to its burrow.
Cape Coral has embraced these birds as part of its identity. You may see owl burrows marked with PVC stakes, signs, or protective boundaries around town. They are wild, protected birds, and also one of the most memorable parts of visiting Cape Coral.
Best Places to See Burrowing Owls in Cape Coral
One of the fun things about looking for burrowing owls in Cape Coral is that you may see them in surprisingly ordinary places: parks, golf courses, ball fields, public lawns, residential neighborhoods, and vacant lots.
A few good places to start include:
Saratoga Lake Park
Cape Coral’s own wildlife viewing information lists Saratoga Lake Park as a place where burrowing owls may be seen. This is an easy public park option to add to your owl-watching route.
Rotary Park Environmental Center
Rotary Park is a great place to look because it is connected with local wildlife education and Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife events. It’s also a good place to learn about the city’s other unique animals also, before exploring further.
Pelican Sports Complex / Pelican Baseball Complex
This area is often mentioned by birders and local wildlife watchers as a good place to look for burrowing owls. Open grassy sports fields can be appealing habitat, so watch carefully for marked burrows and small owls standing low to the ground.
Cape Coral neighborhoods and vacant lots
Many burrowing owls live in residential areas and empty lots. If you drive around slowly in open areas, especially where you see marked burrows, you may spot one. Just remember that these are often near private property, so always be respectful, quiet, and careful not to block driveways or disturb residents.
Tip: Bring binoculars or a zoom camera lens. You should never need to get close to enjoy watching them.
Fun Facts About Burrowing Owls
Burrowing owls may be small, but they are full of personality.
They are one of the smallest owls in Florida, reaching about 9 inches tall with a wingspan of around 21 inches. They have bright yellow eyes, white “eyebrow” markings, long legs, and a funny little upright stance that makes them look both serious and adorable at the same time.
Unlike many owls, burrowing owls are often seen during daylight hours. You may catch them standing at the entrance to their burrow, bobbing up and down, watching for danger, or keeping an eye on nearby activity.
They eat a mix of insects and small animals, including beetles, grasshoppers, frogs, lizards, snakes, small birds, and rodents. Baby burrowing owls are especially cute, but if you see young owls near a burrow, give the family plenty of space.
Another fun fact: burrowing owls sometimes decorate the entrance of their burrows with small objects. In Cape Coral, burrow entrances may include shells, paper, grass, feathers, or other bits and pieces found nearby.
Are Burrowing Owls Protected in Florida?
Yes! Florida burrowing owls are protected, and their burrows are protected too.
That means you cannot harass, harm, capture, relocate, fill in, damage, or destroy burrowing owls or their burrows without proper authorization. Cape Coral also has local protections and asks people to report injured owls, new burrows, or violations.
When viewing burrowing owls, follow posted rules and keep your distance. If an owl reacts to your presence, you are too close. Move back, stay quiet, and enjoy watching from a respectful distance.
For visitors, the best approach is simple: look, photograph from far away, and leave the owls and their burrows alone.
Do Burrowing Owls Affect Real Estate and Development?
Yes, burrowing owls can affect real estate, construction, and development in Cape Coral — but that does not automatically mean a lot cannot be built on.
This is similar in spirit to gopher tortoise issues in other parts of Florida. When a protected species or burrow is found on a property, the owner or builder may need to follow specific rules, surveys, buffers, permitting, timing restrictions, or mitigation steps before development can move forward.
In Cape Coral, builders may need to check for burrowing owl and gopher tortoise activity before construction. If a burrow is present, the situation may require protection measures, seasonal restrictions, or a permit depending on the location, timing, and project plans.
So yes, burrowing owls can matter in real estate transactions. A buyer, seller, builder, or investor should take protected species seriously and confirm the current rules before assuming a vacant lot is ready to build.
Burrowing Owls as Local Symbols and Mascots
Cape Coral loves its burrowing owls.
The city adopted the Florida burrowing owl as its official city bird in 2005, and Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife continues to celebrate and protect these birds through education, events, volunteer work, and the annual Burrowing Owl Festival.
You may also come across local owl-themed events, photos, shirts, signs, art, and community references. The burrowing owl has become part of Cape Coral’s identity.
The most famous Florida “Owls” connection is Florida Atlantic University, whose athletic teams use the burrowing owl as their mascot and symbol.
Visit the Friends of Cape Coral Wildlife website for more information on local burrowing owl population numbers, conservation efforts, events, and the next Burrowing Owls Festival coming in February!
Where to Stay Near Cape Coral Burrowing Owls
If you’re planning a burrowing owl trip, Cape Coral is the most convenient place to stay. From there, you can visit parks, wildlife areas, waterfront restaurants, nearby islands, Fort Myers, Matlacha, Pine Island, and other Southwest Florida attractions.
For Expedia affiliate links, consider adding a few stay options like:
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriot Cape Coral/North Fort Myers
Rated “exceptional” by Expedia reviewers, this hotel is centrally located near all the fun AND multiple places to go check for burrowing owls! This is a great budget-friendly hotel right on Pine Island Road, the main road leading to Matlacha, Bokeelia, Fort Myers, and more!
Use this super helpful Expedia tool to find prices for more hotels, plus plug in different dates to see seasonal pricing and availability.
The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village
Top-rated hotel located on the water and a quick 5 minute drive from the Burrowing Owl Festival. This hotel offers complimentary dolphin tours each day – see reviews, more photos and information on The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village plus prices and a map view of where it’s located.
The Hampton Inn & Suites – Cape Coral /Fort Myers Area FL
This top-rated hotel is pet-friendly, family-friendly, and budget-friendly! It’s a fantastic central location that will help you get to the best spots in Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Sanibel, the beaches and more!
See all area hotels and pricing, plus reviews, more photos, and amenities using the convenient Expedia tool here:
Final Thoughts
The burrowing owls of Cape Coral are one of the sweetest wildlife surprises in Southwest Florida.
They are tiny, expressive, protected, and deeply connected to the city’s identity. You might see one standing proudly by a burrow in a park, peeking out from a marked lot, or watching the world go by from a grassy patch in the middle of town.
If you go looking for them, remember that the goal is not to get close — it’s to observe respectfully, enjoy the moment, and appreciate how special it is that these little owls still share space with people in such a busy Florida city.
Cape Coral may be known for canals and sunshine, but once you spot your first burrowing owl, you may remember the owls most of all.
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