Monitoring burrowing owl populations: implications of burrow re-use

Call Number:

URL:

Keywords:

Abstract:

Burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) populations in many parts of North America have been declining for several years. Loss of habitat, control of burrowing mammals, and other factors have been implicated as causes for local population declines. During the breeding season, burrowing owls are easy to locate at the entrance to their burrows. Thus, the monitoring of burrowing owl populations appears to be relatively straightforward. Bendire observed that burrowing owls re-used burrows from year to year when not disturbed, and Wedgewood also believed that a tradition of burrow fidelity is characteristic of the species. However, data on burrow re-use are limited. Wedgewood reported that of 37 burrows located between 1952 and 1974, only 3 were occupied in 1975. Martin observed that each of 15 pairs of burrowing owls he studied used burrows that had been occupied in previous years. Gleason reported 9 of 15 burrows occupied in the second year of his study. This note provides information on burrow selection and re-use by owls in Idaho with the intention of suggesting some cautions in designing and interpreting population monitoring efforts.

Notes:

ELECTRONIC FILE - Zoology: Birds

Full Citation: Rich, T. 1984. Monitoring burrowing owl populations: implications of burrow re-use. Wildlife Society Bulletin 12(2): 178-180.