Common in both North and South America in grasslands, farmlands, deserts and generally dry open areas. In South America generally resident and more common in south of continent. Often active during the day. A large number of subspecies have been suggested though not all are recognised, the one found in the Bolivian altiplano regions is sometimes classed as Athene cunicularia boliviana. Local names: chiñi, urukure'a, pequén, lechuza común, lechucita de las viscacheras.