Territories of flammulated owls (Otus flammeolus): Is occupancy a measure of habitat quality?

Brian D. Linkhart; Richard T. Reynolds

Treesearch

Territories of flammulated owls (Otus flammeolus): Is occupancy a measure of habitat quality?

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Brian D. Linkhart, Richard T. Reynolds

Year:

1997

Type:

Miscellaneous Publication

Station:

Northern Research Station

Source:

In: J. R. Duncan, D. H. Johnson, and T. H. Nicholls, eds. Biology and conservation of owls in the northern hemisphere, second international symposium; 1997 February 5-9; Manitoba, Canada. Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-190. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experimental Station. p. 250-254.

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Abstract

Annual territory occupancy by Flammulated Owls (Otus flammeolus) in Colorado was evaluated from 1981-1996. Fourteen territories occurred within a 452 ha study area. Each year, three to six territories were occupied by breeding pairs and three to seven were occupied by unpaired males. Territories were occupied by breeding pairs a mean of 5.1 years (not necessarily consecutive) and by unpaired males a mean of 3.9 years (not necessarily consecutive). Territories most consistently occupied by breeding pairs contained the highest percentage of old (200-400 years) ponderosa pine/ Douglas-flr, whereas territories least occupied by breeding pairs contained the least amount of this vegetation type.

Keywords

flammulated owls, Otus flammeolus, annual territory occupancy, habitat quality

Citation

Linkhart, Brian D.; Reynolds, Richard T. 1997. Territories of flammulated owls (Otus flammeolus): Is occupancy a measure of habitat quality?. In: J. R. Duncan, D. H. Johnson, and T. H. Nicholls, eds. Biology and conservation of owls in the northern hemisphere, second international symposium; 1997 February 5-9; Manitoba, Canada. Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-190. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experimental Station. p. 250-254.