Prey preferences of the spotted little owl (Athene brama) in the croplands near Faisalabad [Pakistan]
2004
Shah, Z.A. (Government Coll. Univ., Faisalabad (Pakistan). Dept. of Zoology) | Beg, M.A. | Khan, A.A.
A total of 362 pellets of the Spotted Little Owl (Athene brama) were secured from the Chadhar and Prokian areas in the district Faisalabad. Per cent relative frequency of occurrence of various food remains in the pellets of the owl indicate that insects (47%) occupy the most preferred position followed by small mammals (28%), birds (12%), plant tissues (11%) and reptiles (2%). Five species of small mammals, namely, Suncus murinus, Rattus meltada, Mus musculus, Mus booduga and Tatera indica were represented in bony remains and in the trapped sample from the fields in the study areas. Food selectivity and relative encounter values obtained from the bony and horny remains indicated that R. meltada was the most preferred species; while, T. indica was consumed least frequently. Five orders of insect preys, namely, Orthoptera (grasshoppers), Dictyoptera (cockroaches), Hemiptera (bugs), Hymenoptera (ants) and Coleoptera (beetles) were represented in the food of the owl. Beetles were preyed upon most heavily among the insect preys.
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