Acta Zoologica Cracoviensia, 58(2) 2015
Issue:
VOL 58(2) 2015
DOI:
10.3409/azc.58_2.173
Keywords:
Pellet analysis, rodents, winter, summer, food-niche breadth
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Seasonal variability in the diet of the long-eared owl Asio otus in a mosaic of field and forest habitats in central Poland
Abstract:
The diet composition of long-eared owls in central Poland was studied in the years 2004-2010 using standard procedures entailing the analysis of pellets. A total of 2111 prey items were identified in the material analysed, and voles (Microtus spp.) were found to dominate in both the summer (April-September) and winter (October-March) seasons. Nevertheless, the owls consumed voles and all rodents significantly more often in winter, while taking birds and insects significantly more often in spring and summer. The food-niche breadth was thus greater in the summer period. Overall, the results confirm the dietary specialisation of long-eared owls toward predation on rodents of the genus Microtus.
