The burrowing owl has been expanding its habitat and researchers at New Mexico State University are asking the public to help them locate nests. Researchers do not fully understand why populations are increasing in these areas, nor do they fully understand the threats these populations may face. The owls are usually fairly visible, will perch on walls and fence posts or sometimes lurk under sidewalks, drainages and irrigation canals.

"They often nest in recently disturbed locations and are associated with new developments like the Sonoma Ranch area," said Martha Desmond, head of NMSU's Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology. "People don't realize these owls nest underground in burrows and sometimes they get bulldozed over."

In an effort to protect the burrowing owl, the city of Las Cruces is collaborating with NMSU to create burrowing owl management areas on city property where owls nest. Nests on city properties have been mapped and are monitored. Owl management areas have been designated by the city, and NMSU wildlife students are receiving hands-on training in their field of study.

"As part of this project, we are installing artificial burrows in areas with high disturbance in order to encourage the birds to occupy areas away from human activity," Desmond said.

The bird in question is brown in color and usually about nine inches tall. They have a long nesting period and lay a clutch of approximately eight eggs, which they incubate for a month. It is an additional 42 days before the youngsters are capable of flight, according to Desmond.

Anyone who has seen the burrowing owl or its nest should send an email to eboni.duke@yahoo.com or call (256) 603-1711. Sightings can also be reported to NMSU's Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology at (575) 646-1544.