Tyto Alba Scopoli Research Articles

Barn Owls (Tyto alba Scopoli, 1769) in the Saharan Region of Algeria (Souf): Valuable Predators for Rodent Control in Agriculture

Background: Barn Owls (Tyto alba Scopoli, 1769), which are nocturnal birds of prey, play a crucial role in controlling rodent populations that damage crops. They are valuable allies for farmers because they can effectively hunt small rodents. In Algeria, the Barn Owl is represented by two subspecies, Tyto alba alba and Tyto alba guttata. Methods: This study focuses on the Barn Owls' diet in the Saharan region, specifically in the Souf region, characterized by a dry climate. The research examines the contents of the Barn Owl's reject balls, which are regurgitated, to determine their diet. Result: The study reveals that each reject ball contains 1 to 9 prey items. The researchers identified 23 prey species, with rodents being the most abundant, making up 88.3% of the diet. The most commonly found prey species in Barn Owl balls are G. gerbillus, G. campestris, M. musculus, G. nanus and G. tarabuli. Overall, the Barn Owl's diet in the Saharan region is crucial for maintaining ecosystem balance by controlling rodent populations.

Vertebrate Prey of the Barn Owl (Tyto alba Scopoli) from Tororo, Eastern Uganda

Vertebrate Prey of the Barn Owl (Tyto alba Scopoli) from Tororo, Eastern Uganda

The Importance of Geographical Variation in the Diet of Tyto alba Scopoli in Central Spain

The influence of ecological factors on diet variation in Two alba is studied, and their biogeographical significance is assessed. The results show that bioclimatic and biogeographical factors, such as altitude, latitude, and longitude, have a greater importance than habitat factors, like vegetation mosaics, where there is a significant geographical element, such as a mountain barrier. The results also indicate that microhabitat factors are of importance.

Ectoparasitic Fly Camus hemapterus (Diptera: Carnidae) in a Nesting Population of Common Barn-Owls (Strigiformes: Tytonidae)

As part of a comprehensive study of the common barn-owl (Tyto alba Scopoli) in southwestern New Jersey, we captured and examined owls for ectoparasites during the May–July nesting seasons of 1986 and 1987. We examined 179 young (<12 wk old) and 51 adults from 58 nest sites. Male and female adults of Carnus hemapterus Nitzsch (Diptera: Carnidae) were found on 91 (88%) of 103 young owls (≤5 wk old), but they were not detected on older nestlings (5.5–11.5 wk old) or adult owls. Other ectoparasites infrequently encountered were the lice, Strigiphilus aitkeni Clay (Mallophaga: Philopteridae) and Kurodaia subpachygaster Piaget (Mallophaga: Menoponidae). Although nestlings (>5 wk old) and adult owls appeared to be relatively free of flies, infestation of downy nestlings by C. hemapterus was common.