Abstract
Simple SummaryNest boxes are considered a valid conservation tool in order to sustain wild populations of birds. The Cyprus Scops Owl was recently defined as a new species. However, the extant information on the species is sporadic and the population level is not confirmed. In order to evaluate the ability of the species to use nest boxes, and to understand its habitat preferences, we placed boxes in rural areas, at the forest edge, and in the Paphos Forest. We found that the Cyprus Scops Owl displayed a preference for the forest edge and rural areas; although we also had, several pairs occupy nest boxes in the forest. We show that the nest box strategy can be implemented if in the future the species is threatened.As is well-known, endemic island bird species are especially vulnerable to extinction from anthropogenic environmental change and reduced fitness compared with mainland taxa. The Cyprus Scops Owl, Otus cyprius, is a recently recognized island endemic species whose ecology and breeding biology have not been studied. It nests mainly in holes in trees and buildings, so the felling of old trees, modern architectural practices, and the renovation of old houses in villages may reduce nest site availability. Its population trend is also unknown. Therefore, to better determine its ecological requirements and habitat preferences we placed nest boxes in rural areas adjacent to the forest, in the forest, and in the ecotone between them, and used breeding success as our indicator of habitat suitability. We found that breeding parameters like laying date, clutch size, length of the incubation period, hatching day, hatching success, and number of nestlings did not differ between the three habitats. Despite the low level of nest box occupancy rate (5–11%) the endemic Cyprus Scops Owl readily breeds in artificial nests. Therefore, although we are unaware of any current threats to the Cyprus Scops Owl, we recommend that its conservation be prioritized, including studies, monitoring, habitat conservation, and the provision of nest boxes.
Highlights
Natural cavity-nesting animals that roost or breed use holes in buildings or humanmade constructions like nest boxes [1]
Of 238 nest boxes available during the four breeding seasons of 2015–2018 in three habitats, 91 (38%) in total were occupied, i.e., 9.5% per year, of the 91 nest boxes placed in the rural areas, an average of 6 (6.6%) were occupied per year, of 34 placed at the forest-edge 5.25 (15.4%) per year were occupied
The laying date, clutch size, incubation period, hatching day, number of hatchlings, and number of fledglings did not differ between the artificial nest sites located in three different places (Factorial ANOVA; laying dates: F3, 87 = 1.52, p = 0.211; clutch: F3, 87 = 1.42, p = 0.233; incubation: F3, 74 = 0.696, p = 0.556; hatching: F3, 74 = 1.41, p = 0.232; eggs hatched: F3, 87 =1.56, p = 0.203; fledglings: F3, 87 = 1.47, p = 0.227; Table 1)
Summary
Natural cavity-nesting animals that roost or breed use holes in buildings or humanmade constructions like nest boxes [1]. Nest boxes can either supplement existing natural cavities or replace them when destroyed and can be a technique in the toolbox of conservation in order to recover declining populations (e.g., Lesser Kestrel, Falco naumanni; [2]). Some countries, such as Germany [3] and Poland [4], have legislated rules that require homeowners to install nest boxes as compensation for destroyed nest sites. The use of nest boxes has allowed the study of life history traits and strategies of many cavity-nesting species by allowing easier access for monitoring and handling of the study organisms [5]. Strigiformes is an avian order that readily occupy nest boxes (e.g., Tyto alba [8], Aegolius funereus [9,10], Athene noctua [6], Otus scops [11])
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
