Barred Owl (Strix varia) nest site characteristics in the boreal forest of Saskatchewan, Canada

Kurt M. Mazur; Paul C. James; Shanna D. Frith

Treesearch

Barred Owl (Strix varia) nest site characteristics in the boreal forest of Saskatchewan, Canada

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Kurt M. Mazur, Paul C. James, Shanna D. Frith

Year:

1997

Type:

General Technical Report

Station:

Northern Research Station

Source:

In: Duncan, James R.; Johnson, David H.; Nicholls, Thomas H., eds. Biology and conservation of owls of the Northern Hemisphere: 2nd International symposium. Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-190. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station. 267-271.

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Abstract

Between 1994 and 1996 we located 15 active Barred Owl (Strix varia) nests in the boreal forest of central Saskatchewan, Canada. Eighty-seven percent of Barred Owl nests were located within old mixedwood forest stands. Nest tree species included white spruce (Picea glauca), trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides), balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera), and white birch (Betula papyrifera). The majority of nests were within natural cavities (67 percent), and the majority of nest trees were live (67 percent). Nest trees were of large diameter, averaging 47.4 cm. Nest site availability appears to be an important factor for this species reliance on old forest.

Parent Publication

Biology and conservation of owls of the Northern Hemisphere: 2nd International symposium

Citation

Mazur, Kurt M.; James, Paul C.; Frith, Shanna D. 1997. Barred Owl (Strix varia) nest site characteristics in the boreal forest of Saskatchewan, Canada. In: Duncan, James R.; Johnson, David H.; Nicholls, Thomas H., eds. Biology and conservation of owls of the Northern Hemisphere: 2nd International symposium. Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-190. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station. 267-271.