Little owls and their prey in a mediterranean habitat

Abstract

Data are presented on the food of the Little Owl in a Mediterranean habitat of Central Italy, from the examination of pellets from 3, 420 prey collected at three different sites during one year, and on occasion from two other sites. Soil usage around the sites and the prey ecology were examined to further information on feeding habits.Nearly all the diet (95%) consisted of arthropods, mainly insects, of which the commonest were Coleoptera Carabidae, Scarabaeidae, Staphylinidae and Dermaptera. Vertebrates were less preyed upon; however, as for the prey biomass, small mammals (chiefly Microtus savii and Apodemus sylvaticus) were the most important, forming half the diet.The food varied with the seasons: in summer, the ratio vertebrates/arthropods increased, and also the incidence of passerines and lizards. Dungfeeding Scarabaeidae and Dermaptera were taken almost exclusively in the spring.We found no significant differences among the diversity indexes of prey in different periods.Our observations suggest that the Little Owl hunts mostly in twilight and at night, but is active in part of the day during summer, feeding on the ground in open areas. Its diet does not seem to be restricted to any particular prey, and is highly adaptable to local conditions. © 1982 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.