Longevity of Flammulated Owls: additional records and comparisons to other North American strigiforms

Abstract

A male Flammulated Owl (Otus flammeolus), banded as a breeding adult (age unknown) on 8 July 1988 in central Colorado, was last recaptured on 8 July 2001. On the same study area, a female Flammulated Owl was banded as a breeding adult (age unknown) on 7 July 1988 and was last recaptured on 22 June 1995. These data establish longevity at a minimum 14 yrs for males and 8 yrs for females. The data suggest that Flammulated Owls may be relatively long-lived, and support evidence that this species has a life history strategy similar to larger raptors.