Winter diet of Vancouver Island marten (Martes americana)

Abstract

Digestive tracts from 701 marten (Martes americana) of known sex and age taken during the 1983–1986 fur harvests were used to determine winter diet of marten from Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Small mammals, deer, birds, and salmonid fish were the major food items. Marten exploited nine species of small mammals including four introduced species, but more than 50% of the small mammal prey were deer mice (Peromyscus spp.). We attributed most deer remains to carrion. Avian prey was primarily small passerine and piciform species with Winter Wrens (Troglodytes troglodytes) accounting for about 40% of the identifiable bird remains. Salmon remains were from bait consumption and fish exploited during the spawning runs. Although minor intersexual variation in diet was evident with females consuming more small mammals and small birds, dietary overlap between sexes was pronounced in this insular population.