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Identifier

000369219

Title

Τροφική οικολογία του Νανόμπουφου (Asio otus) στον κάμπο της Μεσαράς (κεντρική Κρήτη)

Alternative Title

Food ecology of Asiotus in the valley of Mesara

Author

Κοντογεώργιος, Γιάννης

Thesis advisor

Μυλωνάς, Μωυσής

Abstract

In this study we focus on the foraging and feeding ecology of the Long-eared owl (Asio otus) in the Mesara plain (central Crete) during winter. Diet composition was investigated by analyzing pellets collected in a roost while diet specialization by comparing proportion frequencies of prey species detected in the pellets and their availability in the study area. The daily food intake rate of the owls was examined by feeding experiments of captive kept individuals and pellet abundance collected from the study roost. Foraging behavior was pursued by field observations and tracking radio-tagged individuals. The species feeds primarily on small mammals (90%), specializing on certain rodent species (i.e Apodemus spp.). Its foraging habitat comprises of agrosystems with low vegetation cover with scattered trees (mainly olive groves) and a high population density of rodents. The foraging radius ranges from 800m to 3000m distance form the roosts. The key difference, in comparison with other nocturnal predators, the Long-eared owl selects tall trees for roosting and nesting and is highly gregarious during the winter period. More specifically the study roost consisting of a singe tree hosted 11-45 individuals throughout the winter (October-February) which is the highest number reported in the literature for Europe.

Language

Greek

Subject

Energy requirements

Owis

Vital area

Γλαύκες

Ενεργειακές απαιτήσεις

Ζωτικός χώρος

Issue date

2011-11-18

Collection