Snowy Owl (Nyctea scandiaca) reproduction in relation to lemming population cycles on Wrangel Island

Irina E. Menyushina

Treesearch

Snowy Owl (Nyctea scandiaca) reproduction in relation to lemming population cycles on Wrangel Island

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Irina E. Menyushina

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. 572-582.

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Abstract

Data on Snowy Owl (Nyctea scandiaca) reproduction on Wrangel Island were collected for six seasons from a total of 423 nests. Nest densities ranged from 0.15 to 0.40 nests/km². Mean clutch size for all 6 years was 6.5 (from 5.3 to 8.4) being significantly higher during low lemming season (7.17) (N = 29) than for peak lemming season (6.0, p < 0.001). Clutch size correlated with weather conditions, females' age, and lemming numbers. Number of young fledged per nest was the highest during peak lemming numbers. Bigamous units occurred only during medium, high, and peak lemming numbers. Nestling mortality was due to lack of food.

Parent Publication

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

Citation

Menyushina, Irina E. 1997. Snowy Owl (Nyctea scandiaca) reproduction in relation to lemming population cycles on Wrangel Island. 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. 572-582.