Abstract
Opportunistic predator like the long-eared owl is able to respond to population fluctuations of its main prey. The composition of the winter diet of this owl species was investigated during the period of 13 winters (1992-2000, 2006-2011) in agricultural areas in Slovakia. In total, we found 23 mammal species and 33 bird species (H′ = 0.82) in pellets. The frequency of the dominant prey species, the common vole, varied from 57.7% to 92.4%. Our data show that the abundance of the common vole: (i) had biggest impact on the food niche breadth of the long-eared owl; (ii) when in decline, it was significantly compensated by the increase in the amount of 15 other accessory species (subject to the specific diet offered during the study winters); (iii) was positively correlated with the number of owls in the winter-roost, which varied during the 13 studied winters.
References
Andersson M. 1980. Nomadism and site tenacity as alternative reproductive tactics in birds. J. Anim. Ecol. 49 (1): 175-184. DOI: 10.2307/428210.2307/4282Search in Google Scholar
Anděra M. & Horaček I. 2005. Poznavame naše savce [We get to know our mammals]. Sobotales, Praha, 327 pp. ISBN: 80-86817-08-3Search in Google Scholar
Aschwanden J., Birrer S. & Jenni L. 2005. Are ecological compensation areas attractive hunting sites for common kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) and Long-eared Owl (Asio otus)? J. Ornithol. 146 (3): 279-286. DOI: 10.1007/s10336-005-0090-910.1007/s10336-005-0090-9Search in Google Scholar
Balaž I. & Ambros M. 2006. Shrews (Sorex spp.) somatometry and reproduction in Slovakia. Biologia 61 (5): 611-620. DOI: 10.2478/s11756-006-0098-510.2478/s11756-006-0098-5Search in Google Scholar
Balaž I., Ambros M., Tulis F., Veselovsky T., Klimant P. & Augustiničova G. 2013. Hlodavce a hmyzožravce Slovenska [Rodents and insectivores of Slovakia]. FPV UKF, Nitra, edicia Prirodovedec č. 547, [FNS KFU, edition Prirodovedec č. 547] Nitra, 198 pp. ISBN: 978-80-558-0437-8, Search in Google Scholar
Bethge E. 1982. Zyklische Bestandswechsel (Gradationen) bei der Feldmaus (Microtus arvalis), festgestellt durch Analyse von Eulen-Gewöllen [Cyclic gradation of Common Vole (Microtus arvalis) determined by pellets analyses]. Z. Säugetierkunde 47: 215-219.Search in Google Scholar
Birrer S. 2009. Synthesis of 312 studies on the diet of the Longeared Owl Asio otus. Ardea 97: 615-624. DOI: 10.5253/078.097.043010.5253/078.097.0430Search in Google Scholar
Bertolino S., Ghiberti E. & Perrone A. 2001. Feeding ecology of Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) in northern Italy: is it a dietary specialist? Can. J. Zool. 79 (12): 2192-2198. DOI: 10.1139/z01-18210.1139/z01-182Search in Google Scholar
Cecere J.G., Bombino S. & Santangeli A. 2013: Winter diet of Long-eared Owl Asio otus in a Mediterranean Fragmented Farmland. Wilson J. Ornithol. 125 (3): 655-658. DOI: 10.1676/13-005.110.1676/13-005.1Search in Google Scholar
Galushin V.M. 1974. Synchronous fluctuations in populations of some raptors and their prey. Ibis 116 (2): 127-134. DOI: 10.1111/j.1474-919X.1974.tb00232.x Galeotti P. & Canova L. 1994. Winter diet of Long-eared owls (Asio otus) in the Po Plain (northern Italy). J. Raptor Res. 28 (4): 265-268.10.1111/j.1474-919X.1974.tb00232.xSearch in Google Scholar
Galeotti P., Tavecchia G. & Bonetti A. 1997. Home-range and habitat use of Long-eared Owls in open farmland (Po plain, northern Italy), in relation to prey availability. J. Wild. Res. 2 (2): 137-145.Search in Google Scholar
Garcia M., Cervena F. & Rodriguez A. 2005. Bat predation by Long-eared owl in Mediterranean and temperate regions of southern Europe. J. Raptor Res. 34 (4): 445-453.Search in Google Scholar
Hagemeijer W. J. M. & Blair M. J. (eds). 1997. The EBCC Atlas of European Breeding Birds - Their Distribution and Abundance. T and AD Poyser, London, 903 pp. ISBN: 978-0-85661-091-2Search in Google Scholar
Hudec K. & Štastny K. (eds) 2005. Fauna ČR. Ptaci - Aves 2. Akademie věd ČR. Prague, 1203 pp. ISBN-13: 978-80-200-1113-8, ISBN: 80-200-1113-7Search in Google Scholar
Huitu O., Norrdahl K. & Kormimäki E. 2004. Competition, predation and interspecific synchrony in cyclic small mammal communities. Ecography 27 (2): 197-206. DOI: 10.1111/j.0906-7590.2003.03684.x 10.1111/j.0906-7590.2003.03684.xSearch in Google Scholar
Jacob J., Manson P., Barfknechtc R. & Fredricksd T. 2013. Common Vole (Microtus arvalis) ecology and management: implications for risk assessment of plant protection products. Pest Manag. Sci. 70 (6): 869-878. DOI: 10.1002/ps.369510.1002/ps.3695Search in Google Scholar PubMed
Jacob J. & Tkadlec E. 2010. Rodent outbreaks in Europe: dynamics and damage, pp. 207-223. In: Singleton G.R., Belmain S., Brown P.R. & Hardy B. (eds), Rodent Outbreaks: Ecology and Impacts, International Rice Research Institute, Los Banos, Philippines, 289 pp. ISBN: 978-971-22-0257-5 Search in Google Scholar
Kitowski I. 2013. Winter diet of the barn owl (Tyto alba) and the long-eared owl (Asio otus) in Eastern Poland. North-West. J. Zool. 9 (1): 16-21.Search in Google Scholar
Klein R.G. & Cruz-Uribe K. 1984. The Analysis of Animal Bones from Archaeological Sites. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 273 pp. ISBN: 9780226439587Search in Google Scholar
Klok C. & de Roos A.M. 2007. Effects of vole fluctuations on the population dynamics of the barn owl Tyto alba. Acta Biotheoretica 55 (3): 227-241 DOI: 10.1007/s10441-007-9013-x 10.1007/s10441-007-9013-xSearch in Google Scholar PubMed
Korpimäki E. 1992. Diet composition, prey choice and breeding success of Long-eared Owls: effect of multiannual fluctuations in food abundance. Can. J. Zool. 70 (12): 2373-2381. DOI: 10.1139/z92-31910.1139/z92-319Search in Google Scholar
Korpimäki E. & Norrdahl K. 1991. Numerical and functional responses of kestrels, short-eared owls, and longeared owls to vole densities. Ecology 72: 814-826. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/194058410.2307/1940584Search in Google Scholar
Korpimäki E. & Sulkava S. 1987. Diet and breeding performance of Ural Owls Strix uralensis under fluctuating food conditions. Ornis Fennica 64 (2): 57-66.Search in Google Scholar
Kouba M., Bartoš L. & Šťastny K. 2013. Differential movement patterns of juvenile tengmalms owls (Aegolius funereus) during the post-fledging dependence period in two years with contrasting prey abundance. PLoS ONE 8 (7): e67034. DOI: 10.1371/ journal.pone. 0067034.10.1371/journal.pone.0067034Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
Kouba M., Bartoš L. & Šťastny K. 2014. Factors affecting vocalization in tengmalm’s owl (Aegolius funereus) fledglings during post-fledging dependence period: Scramble competition or honest signalling of need? PLoS ONE 9(4): e95594. DOI: 10.1371/ journal.pone. 009559410.1371/journal.pone.0095594Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
Lambin X., Bretagnolle V. & Yoccoz N.G. 2006. Vole population cycles in northern and southern Europe: is there a need for different explanations for single pattern? J. Anim. Ecol. 75 (2): 340-349. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2656.2006.01051.x 10.1111/j.1365-2656.2006.01051.xSearch in Google Scholar PubMed
Lesinski G. 2010. Long-term changes in abundance of bats as revealed by their frequency in tawny owls’ diet. Biologia 65 (4): 749-753. DOI: 10.2478/s11756-010-0074-y 10.2478/s11756-010-0074-ySearch in Google Scholar
Levins R. 1968. Evolution in Changing Environments: Some Theoretical Explorations. In: Levin S.A. & Horn H.S. (series eds), Monographs in Population Biology, Princeton University Press, Princeton, 132 pp. ISBN: 9780691080628Search in Google Scholar
Mikkola H. 1983. Owls of Europe. T & A. D. Poyser, Calton, Waterhouses, Staffordshire, England, UK, 397 pp. ISBN: 0-85661034-8.Search in Google Scholar
Obuch J. 1982. Načrt potravnej ekologie sov (Striges) v strednej časti Turca [Outline of the diet ecology of owls (Striges) in central part of Turiec region]. Kmetianum 6: 81-106.Search in Google Scholar
Obuch J. 1989. Načrt premenlivosti potravy myšiarky ušatej (Asio otus) [Outline of variability of Long-eared Owl diet]. (Asio otus). Tichodroma 2: 49-63.Search in Google Scholar
Obuch J. 1998. Zastupenie netopierov (Chiroptera) v potrave sov (Strigiformes) na Slovensku [Bat abundance (Chiroptera) in the diet of Owl in Slovakia]. Vespertilio 3: 65-74. ISBN: 80-88850-19-3Search in Google Scholar
Obuch J. 2001. Využitie metody vyraznych odchylok od priemeru (MDFM) pri vyhodnocovani kontingenčnych tabuliek. [Using marked differences from the mean (MDFM) method for evaluation of contingency tables]. Buteo 12: 37-46.Search in Google Scholar
Pirovano A, Rubolini D., Brambilla S. & Ferrari N. 2000. Winter diet of urban roosting Long-eared Owls Asio otus in northern Italy: the importance of the Brown Rat Rattus norvegicus. Bird Study 47 (2): 242-244. DOI: 10.1080/00063650009461 181Search in Google Scholar
Romanowski J. & Z˙mihorski M. 2008. Effect of season, weather and habitat on diet variation of a feeding specialist: a case study of the Long-eared Owl, Asio otus in Central Poland. Folia Zool. 57 (4): 411-419.Search in Google Scholar
Rubolini D., Pivovarno A. & Borghi S. 2003. Influence of seasonality, temperature and rainfall on the winter diet of the log-eared owl, Asio otus. Folia Zool. 52 (1): 67-76.Search in Google Scholar
Sergio F., Marchesi L. & Pedrini P. 2008. Density, diet and productivity of Long-eared Owls Asio otus in the Italian Alps: the importance of Microtus voles. Bird Study 55: 321-32810.1080/00063650809461538Search in Google Scholar
Schmidt E. 1975. Quantitative Untersuchungen an Kleinsäuger- Resten aus Waldohreulen - Gewöllen. Vertebr. Hung. 16: 77-83.Search in Google Scholar
Schmidt E. & Topal G. 1971. Denever maradvanyok magyarorszagi bagolyköpetekb˝ol [Presence of bats in owl pellets from Hungary]. Vertebr. Hung. 12: 93-102.Search in Google Scholar
Shao M. & Liu N. 2006. The diet of the Long-eared Owls, Asio otus, in the desert of northwest China. J. Arid Environ. 65 (4): 673-676. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaridenv.2005.10.00610.1016/j.jaridenv.2005.10.006Search in Google Scholar
Sharikov A.V. & Makarova T.V. 2014.Weather conditions explain variation in the diet of Long-eared Owl at winter roost in central part of European Russia. Ornis Fennica 91 (2): 100-107.Search in Google Scholar
Sharikov A.V., Makarova T.V. & Ganova E.V. 2013. Long-term dynamics of Long-eared Owls Asio otus at a northern winter roost in European Russia. Ardea 101 (2): 171-176. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5253/078.101.021210.5253/078.101.0212Search in Google Scholar
Sheffield L.M., Crait C.R., Edge W.D. & Wang G. 2001. Response of American kestrels and gray-tailed voles to vegetation height and supplemental perches. Can. J. Zool. 79 (3): 380-385. DOI: 10.1139/z00-22010.1139/z00-220Search in Google Scholar
Šalek M. & Lövy M. 2012. Spatial ecology and habitat selection of Little Owl Athene noctua during the breeding season in Central European farmland. Bird Conserv. Int. 22 (3): 328-338. DOI: 10.1017/S0959270911000268 StatSoft Inc. 2007. STATISTICA, version 8.0. www.statsoft.com.10.1017/S0959270911000268Search in Google Scholar
Sundell J., Huitu O., Henttonen H., Kaikusalo A, Korpimäki E., Pietiäinen H., Saurola P. & Hanski I. 2004. Largescale spatial dynamics of vole populations in Finland revealed by the breeding success of vole-eating avian predators. J. Anim. Ecol. 73 (1): 167-178. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2656.2004.00795.x 10.1111/j.1365-2656.2004.00795.xSearch in Google Scholar
Šipöcz T. 2004. Zber. Databazovy program. Verzia 3.0 [Collection. Database program. Version 3]. Botanical Garden, Comenius University, Blatnica. Search in Google Scholar
Tome D. 1991. Diet of the Long-eared Owl Asio otus in Yugoslavia. Ornis Fennica 68 (3): 114-118.Search in Google Scholar
Tome D. 1994. Diet composition of the Long-eared Owl in central Slovenia: Seasonal variation in prey use. J. Raptors Res. 28 (4): 253-258.Search in Google Scholar
Tome D. 2003. Functional response of the Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) to changing prey numbers: a 20-year study. Ornis Fennica 80 (2): 63-70.Search in Google Scholar
Veselovsky T., Tulis F. & Balaž I. 2012. Kľuč na určovanie drobnych cicavcov na zaklade kraniologickych znakov [Key for small mammals determination on the basin of craniological features] FF UKF v Nitre, Nitra, 68 pp. ISBN: 978-80-558-0164-3Search in Google Scholar
Wijnandts H. 1984. Ecological energetics of the Long-eared Owl (Asio otus). Ardea 72: l-92. Search in Google Scholar
Zmihorski M., Romanowski J. & Chylarecki P. 2012. Environmental factors affecting the densities of owls in Polish farmland during 1980-2005. Biologia 67 (6): 1204-1210 DOI: 10.2478/s11756-012-0114-x Received 10.2478/s11756-012-0114-xSearch in Google Scholar
© 2015