The burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) is a small, long-legged owl found throughout open landscapes of North and South America. Burrowing owls can be found in grasslands, rangelands, agricultural areas, deserts, or any other dry, open area with low vegetation.This species of owl prefers open areas with low ground cover. They nest in abandoned burrows of small mammals, such as prairie dogs or ground squirrels. Unlike most owls, burrowing owls are often active during the day. However, most hunting is done at dusk or at night. Burrowing owls are able to live for at least 9 years in the wild and over 10 years in captivity[citation needed]. They are often killed by vehicles when crossing roads, and have many natural enemies, including badgers, coyotes, and snakes. They are also killed by feral and domestic cats and dogs. Burrowing owls have bright yellow eyes. The bill can be yellow or greenish depending on the subspecies. The legs are incompletely feathered, and the toes are grayish in color. They lack "ear" tufts and have a flattened facial disc. The owls have prominent white eyebrows and a white "chin" patch which they expand and display during certain behaviors. Adult owls have brown upperparts with white spotting. The breast and belly are white with variable brown spotting or barring.