Influence of anthropogenic features and traffic disturbance on burrowing owl diurnal roosting behavior

Abstract

Birds that forage nocturnally should select daytime roosts that minimize predation risk to themselves, maximize their ability to warn mates or young about predators, and reduce their exposure to inclement weather. The objective of this study was to identify landscape features used by burrowing owls Athene cunicularia hypugaea during the day and to determine if traffic disturbance altered patterns of daytime space use. We tracked 17 adult male owls for 0.6 to 2.8 d each with GPS dataloggers and used resource utilization and resource selection functions to examine the response of each owl to nest burrows, perches, and roads. Selection for roads decreased as average vehicle speed increased. Roads with vehicle speeds > 80 km h −1 were avoided. Owls may avoid roads with high traffic speeds because auditory disturbance from passing vehicles interferes with their ability to communicate the presence of predators to their mates and young. Owls also spent more time near fences and posts, likely because these elevated perches are good vantage points for predator detection. Perches near burrowing owl nests should be maintained, and speed limits on roads near burrowing owl nests should be set to < 80 km h −1 to help ensure owls are able to effectively detect and react to predators.

Exploring the internal and external wildlife gradients created by conservation fences

“…; Scobie et al. ). However, internal fences were present within the reserve, where these rodent species were abundant, suggesting that elevated predation from birds is unlikely.…”

Influence of human footprint and sensory disturbances on night-time space use of an owl

“…There are typically other structures near the sound sources (e.g. fences) that do not produce sound that could be used as perches, which are important features for burrowing owls (Sissons 2003, Scobie et al 2014). In addition, gravel roads are constructed to access oil wells and compressor stations, many of which have ditches that likely have high abundances of small mammals (Adams & Geis 1983, SabinoMarques & Mira 2011, Ruiz-Capillas et al 2013.…”

Home Ranges, Habitats, and Roosts of Wintering Burrowing Owls In Agricultural Landscapes In Central Mexico

“…Roosts. Roosts play a critical role in the ecology of owls, particularly small owls such as Burrowing Owls, because roost characteristics and locations affect survival through reduced exposure to predation and inclement weather (Haug et al 1993, Poulin et al 2005, Scobie et al 2014. The evenly spaced linear plowed furrows at Irapuato created abundant cavities that were highly visible due to the contrast between white limestone rocks and dark shadows beneath.…”