Small mammals in the diet of long-eared owl (Asio otus) in the southwest of Belarus

Abstract

The article discusses the species and taxonomic composition of the long-eared owl (Asio otus) preys based on the analysis of pellets (n = 209) collected in the winter-spring period in 2016 in the Malarytsky district (Lozitsa village) and the Brest region district center. The distance between Malaryta town and Lozitsa village is about 10 km. Parts of the skull of 512 small mammals (2.45 individuals per pellet) and one bird were found. Feeding on birds for the long-eared owl is episodic. Representatives of 2 orders, 10 genera and 12 species of small mammals (5 species of shrews and 7 rodents) became preys of the owl. The proportion of rodents is 98.24 % of all preys. The absolute dominant among prey species is Microtus arvalis (85.16 % of all victims), which is consistent with numerous work carried out in other regions. Significant portions are of Apodemus agrarius (4.10 %), Muscardinus avellanarius (2.54 %), Sylvaemus tauricus (1.76 %), and Alexandromys oeconomus (1.56 %). The list of preys is presented by meadow-field, synanthropic and different species actively moving from adjacent forests in the Malaryta river floodplain and canal systems (Sylvaemus tauricus, Sorex araneus, S. minutus, Neomys fodiens). The occurence of two shrew species Crocidura leucodon and C. suaveolens in the city of Malaryta has been proved, which corresponds to similar information for the city of Brest. This suggests that C. suaveolens inhabits the entire territory of the Belarusian Polesie at present. The occurence of the non-abundant species Sicista betulina in vicinities of the town of Malaryta was confirmed. The results obtained confirm the significant trophic effect of the long-eared owl on the local population of the hazel dormouse and also indicate the relatively high abundance of this rodent in the study area. Seven species were identified in pellets of the long-eared owl living near the village of Lozitsa, and 12 species of small mammals were identified in the town of Malaryta. The diversity of the landscape of the town of Malaryta determines the large number of prey species.