Title:

Barn owl Tyto alba predation on small mammals in relation to the Mediterranean environment (Pisa Province, Italy)

Subtitle:

Acta Ornithologica, vol. 36, no. 2 ; Drapieżnictwo płomykówki w stosunku do drobnych ssaków w krajobrazie śródziemnomorskim

Creator:

Varuzza, Paolo ; Capizzi, Dario (1967– ) ; Santini, Luciano ; Apollonio, Marco

Contributor:

Polska Akademia Nauk. Muzeum i Instytut Zoologii

Publisher:

Muzeum i Instytut Zoologii PAN

Place of publishing:

Warszawa

Date issued/created:

2001

Description:

Bibliogr. p. 158-159 ; P. [153]-160 : ill. ; 27 cm ; Abstract in Polish. Taxa in Latin

Type of object:

Journal/Article

Subject and Keywords:

Barn Owl ; nutrition ; small mammals ; Italy ; owl pellets ; feeding ecology ; birds ; Micromammalia ; Tyto alba ; Tytonidae ; Aves

Abstract:

The diet of the Barn Owl was investigated in 13 localities in Pisa province, Central Italy. In each locality, the percentage of forest and cultivated land, and the linear development of roads and rivers were recorded. To estimate the prey availability, the small mammal communities in seven different localities within the same province were sampled during live trapping sessions. Barn Owls preyed mainly upon rodents (79.4%) and insectivores (18.8%), while birds were eaten only to a small degree (1.8%). The main prey taxon was Apodemus sp. (39.7%), followed by Microtus savii (26.1%). The relative frequencies of these two prey items were negatively correlated. Statistically significant differences were detected in the mean prey weight in the thirteen localities. This was positively associated with the area of woodland and negatively with the area of cultivated land. A positive relationship between prey diversity and cultivation was recorded. This indicates that Barn Owls which forage in cultivated habitats tend to prey on smaller species, mainly shrews and voles, and to have a more diversified prey spectrum. By contrast, owls foraging in wooded areas were more specialized and preyed on larger animals.

Relation:

Acta Ornithologica

Volume:

36

Issue:

2

Start page:

153

End page:

160

Resource type:

Text

Detailed Resource Type:

Article

Format:

application/pdf

Source:

MiIZ PAN, call no. P.257, Vol. 36, No 2 ; MiIZ PAN, call no. P.4568, Vol. 36, No 2 ; click here to follow the link

Language:

eng ; pol

Rights:

Rights Reserved - Restricted Access

Terms of use:

Copyright-protected material. Access only on terminals at the Museum and Institute of Zoology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, may be used within the limits of statutory user freedoms.

Digitizing institution:

Museum and Institute of Zoology of the Polish Academy of Sciences

Original in:

Library of the Museum and Institute of Zoology of the Polish Academy of Sciences

Projects co-financed by:

Programme Innovative Economy, 2010-2014, Priority Axis 2. R&D infrastructure ; European Union. European Regional Development Fund

Access:

Closed