The supposed migratory status of the flammulated owl

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At the present time we have little information concerning the Flammulated Owl (Otus flammeolus), in spite of the fact that it is a rather common bird in certain mountainous areas of western North America. Most of our understanding of this species has resulted from the development of special nighttime hunting techniques, used first by E. C. Jacot and later by Joe T. Marshall and others, that enable the easy detection of males. The efforts of Marshall in particular have provided our best data on habitat distribution, vocal behavior, and food habits. One issue about which we still know very little, however, concerns the winter home of this owl, and the purpose of this paper is to discuss certain aspects of the life history that relate to this point. It will be soon apparent to the reader that the facts concerning the species are so meager that the discussion will be largely speculative. It can be stated that the few threads of available evidence, while not disproving either a partial or complete migration in the Flammulated Owl, also can be interpreted to mean that this species is a permanent resident on or near breeding areas in the western United States and M6xico. Certain records in the spring and fall months for localities removed from preferred breeding habitat can be viewed as evidence for down-mountain movement, perhaps in response to unfavorable foraging conditions in pine forest. If migration does not occur, it is hypothesized that torpidity could be an adaptive mechanism whereby this insect forager could endure periods of food shortage on the wintering grounds.

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Reference Code: A63JOH01IDUS

Full Citation: Johnson, N. K. 1963. The supposed migratory status of the flammulated owl. Wilson Bulletin 75(2): 174-178.

Location: ANIMAL EF: OTUS FLAMMEOLUS