Home range and habitat of breeding flammulated owls in Colorado

Abstract

We used radiotelemetry to determine habitat use by flammulated owls (Otus flammeolus) during the breeding season on 452 ha of montane conifer forest in central Colorado in 1982-1983. Mean size and SD of home ranges was 11.1 +/- 1.9 ha (range = 8.5-12.5 ha, n = 4) in 1982 and 18.3 +/- 5.1 ha (range = 14.0-24.0 ha, n = 3) in 1983. Habitat use by nesting males was affected by distribution of old forests of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) mixed with Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), by topography, and by juxtaposition of home ranges of conspecifics. In spring, both new and returning owls settled into areas containing more old ponderosa pine/Douglas-fir than in other overstory types available in the study area. After settling, males foraged significantly more often in old ponderosa pine/Douglas-fir than in other overstory types available within home ranges. Eighty-one percent of foraging locations by males occurred in one to four intensive foraging areas within each home range. Mean size of intensive foraging areas was 0.5 +/- 0.4 ha (range = 0.1-1.4 ha). Eighty percent of intensive foraging areas consisted entirely of old ponderosa pine/Douglas-fir. Use of this overstory type by flammulated owls is probably related to its composition and structure, and prey availability.

Citation

Linkhart, Brian D.; Reynolds, Richard T.; Ryder, Ronald A. 1998. Home range and habitat of breeding flammulated owls in Colorado. The Wilson Bulletin. 110(3): 342-351.