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Using the diet of the barn owl (Tyto alba) as an indicator of small vertebrate abundance in the Channel Country, south-western Queensland
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-20, 03:22 authored by Matthew McDowellMatthew McDowell, Medlin, GCThe diet of the barn owl (Tyto alba) was determined by analysing pellets and bulk pellet debris found in the ruins of Baryulah Homestead, south-western Queensland. Nine species of mammal, at least eight bird, five reptile and three frog species were identified. The majority of prey consisted of small mammals and was dominated by Mus musculus, which accounted for almost 40 Prey Unit percent (PU%) of all prey. Rattus villosissimus was an important secondary prey species, which, due to its comparatively large mass, contributed 21.79 PU%. Other native mammals were present in low frequency only. Reptiles (primarily geckos) were more abundant than expected, collectively contributing >15 PU%, suggesting that they were an important component of the barn owl’s diet.
History
Publication title
Australian MammalogyVolume
31Pagination
75-80ISSN
0310-0049Department/School
School of Natural SciencesPublisher
CSIRO PublishingPlace of publication
AustraliaRights statement
Copyright 2009 Australian Mammal SocietyRepository Status
- Restricted