Abstract

We studied the diet and prey delivery behavior of Burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) during the breeding season in the southeastern Chihuahuan desert, Mexico. The diet of the Burrowing Owl included 8 orders, 13 invertebrate families, and 5 genera of mammals, gastropods, reptiles, and birds. By frequency, invertebrates (Orthoptera, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, and Hemiptera) were the most common prey, with vertebrates making up a much smaller proportion. However, by biomass, owls consumed mainly vertebrates (56.7%). Among invertebrates, the families Tenebrionidae and Acrididae accounted for 33.2% of the total consumed biomass. Females delivered more prey items than males (55.6% and 44.4%, respectively). Our observations contribute to our knowledge of the ecology of this owl in a region where it has been little studied.

Resumen

Estudiamos el aporte de presas, la dieta y la biomasa consumida por Athene cunicularia hypugaea en el sudeste del desierto Chihuahuense. Se registraron 8 órdenes, 13 familias de invertebrados y 5 géneros de mamíferos, gasterópodos, reptiles y aves. La dieta estuvo conformada principalmente por invertebrados (Orthoptera, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera y Hemiptera); el resto correspondió a vertebrados. El mayor porcentaje de biomasa consumida (56.6%) correspondió al grupo de los vertebrados. Dentro de los invertebrados, las familias Tenebrionidae y Acrididae constituyeron un 33.2% del total de la biomasa consumida. Las hembras aportaron más presas que los machos (55.6% y 44.4%, respectivamente). Nuestros datos contribuyen a un mejor entendimiento de la ecología de A. cunicularia hypugaea en un área donde ha sido poco estudiada.

[Traducción de los autores editada]