Abstract
The present study was conducted to determine the diet of Spotted Owlet Athene brama. Analysis of 200 regurgitated pellets collected from eight different locations in Punjab (India) determined average weight, length, breadth and thickness to be 1.0g, 27.0mm, 16.0mm and 12.0mm, respectively. Remains of a total 433 individual prey were found in these pellets. Diet of Spotted Owlet consisted of both vertebrates (45.7%) and invertebrates (54.3%). Among vertebrates, mice (45.0%) were predominant, followed by frogs (0.5%) and birds (0.2%). Among invertebrates, diet mainly consisted of insects (53.8%) followed by molluscs (0.5%). Insects preyed upon by Spotted Owlet were predominantly of orders Coleoptera (34.9%), followed by Orthoptera (10.2%), Dermaptera (7.9%) and some unidentified orders (0.9%). The remnants of insects and molluscs in the pellets comprised of wings, legs, head, shells etc. The average number of mice consumed per pellet was 1.32, with a maximum capacity of consuming up to five mice per night.
Highlights
Among the various species found in northern India, the Spotted Owlet Athene brama (Temminck, 1821) is the most common small-sized owl
It roosts in small groups in hollows of trees or branches or in cavities of rocks or buildings. It is nocturnal and generally crepuscular, but is sometimes seen in the day. It feeds on diverse prey such as rodents, small birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates such as insects and annelids (Pande et al 2004, 2007)
Study area and pellets collected A survey was carried out in different trees, buildings, electric poles, crop fields, other perches etc. in the campus area of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana and different villages in districts Ludhiana and Fatehgarh Sahib of Punjab (India) during the years 2013–2015 in order to find out the roosting, nesting and perching sites of the Spotted Owlet
Summary
Among the various species found in northern India, the Spotted Owlet Athene brama (Temminck, 1821) is the most common small-sized owl. It has adapted to varied environments such as parks, groves, agricultural fields, abandoned buildings in garden and villages, towns and crowded cities, and any open area with trees substantial enough to provide adequate roosts (Sridhara 1981; Ali & Ripley 1987) It roosts in small groups in hollows of trees or branches or in cavities of rocks or buildings. It is nocturnal and generally crepuscular, but is sometimes seen in the day It feeds on diverse prey such as rodents, small birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates such as insects and annelids (Pande et al 2004, 2007). The present study is the first of its kind from Punjab State of India recording information on the dietary composition of Spotted Owlet A. brama and its impact on rodent and insect pest populations around their nesting and roosting sites
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