Adult Survival Probability in a Recovered Population of Scops OwlsOtus scops

Abstract

The survival probability of adult Scops Owls was studied in NW Italy, near the northern limits of the European breeding range. The species reappeared in the study area at the beginning of this century, after more than 30 years of absence as a breeding bird. Scops Owls were captured at a bird-ringing station that operated continuously from 1990, and apart from three sporadic captures in the nineties, regular presence was detected only from 2002. Survival estimates were based on 190 captures of adult birds obtained in twelve years (2003–2014). After allowing for the presence of transients, the model with constant survival and constant recapture probabilities suggested an adult apparent survival probability of 0.58 ± 0.07 (SE), with no sex differences. This is the first Scops Owl survival estimate, and it puts the species within the lower range of owl survival estimates, as partially expected by its small size and its migratory habits.