Investigation on Diet of Long-Eared Owl (Asio Otus) Inhabiting Fatih Natural Park (Turkey)

Abstract

Pellet analyses were used to identify small mammal species in the diet of this owl species in order to reveal its ecological role. In this study, 706 pellets of Asio otus were collected from 3 different localities in Fatih Natural Park between February and March 2014. Pellets were dissolved by using 3% NaOH solution and then bones were dehydrated and identified. The aim of this study was to determine mammal composition in the diet of Asio otus inhabiting Fatih Natural Park of Yozgat Province, Turkey. Residues of bone from 1293 individuals/preys corresponding to 42377.41 g biomass in total were detected as the result of analysis. These individuals were identified to belonging to 12 mammal species (Crocidura suaveolens, Suncus etruscus, Microtus hartingi/lydius, Microtus levis, Microtus sp., Cricetulus migratorius, Mesocricetus brandti, Apodemus sp., Apodemus sylvaticus, Apodemus witherbyi, Mus macedonicus, and Meriones tristrami) from 3 families and 8 genera. Microtus hartingi/lydius, which is known as agricultural pest, was dominant in the diet of Asio otus. When diversity of mammal species within the food composition was examined, Asio otus nesting in forest was found to primarily prefer agricultural and steppe areas, and was also found in woody and bushy areas. The use of Asio otus can be taken into consideration when dealing with rodent species known as agricultural pests.