Seasonal food habits of Barn Owls in Utah

Authors

Dwight G. Smith, Southern Connecticut State College, New Haven
Charles R. Wilson, Brigham Young University
Herbert H. Frost, Brigham Young University

Abstract

The food habits of a small colony of Barn Owls in central Utah were investigated from 30 January 1969 to 30 January 1970 to determine seasonal trends in prey species composition and abundance. An analysis of 783 pellets yielded 1845 prey individuals, of which mammals, primarily Microtus, were the most abundant during all seasons of the year. A wide variety of avian prey species revealed an opportunistic aspect of Barn Owl prey selection.

Recommended Citation

Smith, Dwight G.; Wilson, Charles R.; and Frost, Herbert H. (1972) "Seasonal food habits of Barn Owls in Utah," Great Basin Naturalist: Vol. 32: No. 4, Article 9.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/gbn/vol32/iss4/9