Habitat quality, breeding success and density in Tawny Owl Strix aluco

Abstract

Habitat categories and songbird availability as a predictor of forest productivity were compared between Tawny Owl territories and areas not occupied by Tawny Owls near Gothenburg, south-western Sweden. There was no significant difference with regard to habitat categories. There was a significant positive correlation between density of territories and proportion of forest cover for each territory. With regard to songbird availability, there was a significant difference between occupied and not occupied sites. Tawny Owl population density and chick production was positively correlated with songbird availability. Prey remnants from nest boxes were investigated to find out the importance of birds in the diet.