We present the first use of necklace radio transmitters to document the home range and dispersal of juvenile Burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia floridana) during the breeding and post-breeding period in rural Florida. Juvenile Burrowing Owls (n = 4) were detected close to main and satellite burrows during 65 day-time relocations. Home range estimates (95% kernel) for juvenile owls varied from 98 to 177 m2. Juvenile Burrowing Owls were not detected near main and satellite burrows during three evening relocations. Dispersal of juvenile owls coincided with flooding of burrows during the rainy season. Juvenile owls upon fledging used an extensive patch of saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) before dispersing beyond the range of ground telemetry capabilities. Aerial telemetry assisted in locating one juvenile Burrowing Owl using scrub oak (Quercus spp.) habitat approximately 10.1 km southeast of its main and satellite burrows.
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1 June 2007
Home Range and Dispersal of Juvenile Florida Burrowing Owls
Robert J. Mrykalo,
Melissa M. Grigione,
Ronald J. Sarno
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The Wilson Journal of Ornithology
Vol. 119 • No. 2
June 2007
Vol. 119 • No. 2
June 2007