Burrowing owls are — and we say this with all the love in the world — utter goofballs. Case in point: For a perch, they choose the ground (instead of, say, a tree). For a nest, they choose a hole in the ground (instead of, say, a tree). When disturbed, they often flatten themselves to the earth (instead of, say, flying away, with the wings). They buck owl tradition by choosing to hunt during the day instead of the night. You have to admire a species that so stubbornly marches to the beat of its own drum. Plus, they are mind-meltingly cute. Oh, and did you know that to ward off predators, they hiss in a way that mimics the sound of a rattlesnake? Unfortunately, people have not taken good care of burrowing owls despite their unique charms. Due to human activity, these wee birds, which were once widespread in California, have disappeared from much of the state. But there’s some good news: This week, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife found that protecting the western burrowi...