Wintering ecology and nomadic movement patterns of Short-eared Owls Asio flammeus on a subtropical island. Issue 3 (3rd July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tseng, Wei; Lin, Wen-Loung; Lin, Si-Min
• Is Part Of: Bird study. Volume 64:Issue 3(2017)
• Page Start: 317
• Page End: 327
• Publication Date: 2017-07-03
• Subjects: Birds -- Ecology -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Birds -- Conservation -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Birds -- Ecology -- Periodicals; Birds -- Conservation -- Periodicals; Birds -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Birds -- Geographical distribution -- Periodicals; Birds -- Counting -- Periodicals; 598.170941
• DOI: 10.1080/00063657.2017.1358253
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0006-3657

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Capsule: Short-eared Owls Asio flammeus showed a female-biased sex ratio in their southernmost wintering grounds in Oriental Asia. This is the first description of a nomadic movement pattern in this area. Aims: To investigate the sex ratio, movement patterns, home range size and habitat preference of non-breeding Short-eared Owls in subtropical Taiwan. Methods: Eleven Short-eared Owls were radio tracked following trapping and transportation away from an airport as part of the management of bird-strike risk for aeroplanes. Results: Our results indicated a female-skewed (75%) sex ratio for Short-eared Owls wintering in Taiwan. The owls demonstrated a nomadic behaviour by showing a repetitive pattern of high roosting site fidelity in the short term, followed by a long-distance movement to a different discrete area. Grasslands were commonly used as day-roosting sites but agricultural habitats were favoured at night. Conclusion: Compared to on the breeding ground, the wintering owls exhibited a much larger home range size and exploit more dispersed patches of suitable habitats. These results revealed a notable conservation issue for the wintering owls, especially in the degraded and partially developed landscapes in subtropical countries.