- Unlike most owls, they are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day, though they primarily hunt at dawn and dusk to avoid the midday heat
- They rarely dig their own holes, instead repurposing abandoned burrows from ground squirrels or prairie dogs
- When threatened, young owls can mimic the hissing sound of a rattlesnake to scare away predators from their burrow
- They are known for "bowing" or bobbing their heads when curious or alarmed, which helps them gain depth perception