Sex Differences in Long-eared Owl Plumage Coloration

Abstract

Most species of owls lack distinctive sexual color dimorphism, and plumage is not considered reliable for distinguishing sex. In North America, Long-eared Owls Asio otus are generally considered monomorphic in color, although there are subtle color differences between the sexes. From 1987 to 2015, we investigated differences in plumage coloration of male and female Long-eared Owls in western Montana. We initially used an observational method 1987-1993, followed by a quantitative method 1994-1999, and then a simplified method 2000-2015. When we used the observational method, we correctly sexed all 22 Long-eared Owls. For the quantitative method, we used a Munsell Soil Color Chart to score underwing coverts, tarsometatarsus, and facial disc of breeding males and females and museum specimens purportedly sexed correctly. We found significant sex-specific color differences: underwing coverts G = 136.77, df = 5, P < 0.01, tarsometatarsus G = 44.50, df = 4, P < 0.01, and facial disc G = 50.62, df = 7, P < 0.01. Underwing coverts differed the most between sexes. Based on these plumage color differences, we then correctly sexed all 19 owls captured during fall and winter and later recaptured as breeding birds. Using the simplified method, we correctly predicted the sex of 55 of 58 93% owls captured during fall and winter and later recaptured as breeders. Overall, we correctly predicted sex of 96 of 99 96.9% Long-eared Owls in Montana. We suggest that plumage coloration differences should be investigated in other study areas outside of Montana.