Open Access
How to translate text using browser tools
1 June 2018 Home Ranges, Habitats, and Roosts of Wintering Burrowing Owls In Agricultural Landscapes In Central Mexico
Héctor E. Valdez-Gómez
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

The winter home ranges, foraging habitats, and roost characteristics of migrant Burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia) have not been described in central Mexico. This information is needed to prioritize habitat conservation measures because the species is in decline across much of western North America. We used VHF telemetry to describe the foraging range, habitat use, and roost sites of 17 Burrowing Owls in two study areas: Irapuato and Zapopan, Mexico. Burrowing Owls did not forage in the daytime. Cropland and grasslands made up the majority of the owls' foraging ranges, which averaged 70 ha. Burrowing Owls responded quickly and opportunistically to changes in land uses that removed tall dense vegetation, such as the harvest of tall crops, and fires. Distances from foraging areas to roost sites averaged 514–751 m, but varied widely from 32–1981 m. Roost characteristics were highly variable between study sites. Overall, Burrowing Owls incorporated anthropogenic land uses into their winter habitat needs.

© 2018 The Raptor Research Foundation, Inc.
Héctor E. Valdez-Gómez "Home Ranges, Habitats, and Roosts of Wintering Burrowing Owls In Agricultural Landscapes In Central Mexico," Journal of Raptor Research 52(2), 178-190, (1 June 2018). https://doi.org/10.3356/JRR-16-104.1
Received: 2 December 2016; Accepted: 1 December 2017; Published: 1 June 2018
KEYWORDS
Athene cunicularia
burrowing owl
foraging range
habitat
Mexico
roost
winter
Back to Top