Urban owls prefer wealthy areas
Home ranges, habitat selection, and energy expenditure of Strix varia (Barred Owls): Understanding the full diel cycle matters for enhancing urban landscapes | Ornithological Applications | Oxford Academic
https://academic.oup.com/condor/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/ornithapp/duae038/7736940
Research uncovers how barred owls interact with urban areas and why it matters
https://phys.org/news/2024-11-uncovers-barred-owls-interact-urban.html
When barred owls live in the city, they prefer affluent neighborhoods - Earth.com
https://www.earth.com/news/when-barred-owls-live-in-the-city-they-prefer-affluent-neighborhoods/
A research team from Louisiana State University in the United States conducted a study to investigate the home range and energy consumption patterns of barred owls living in Baton Rouge , the capital of Louisiana. The study focused not only on the times of day when the animals are active, but also on their 24-hour life cycles (deal cycles).
Although the barred owl, like other owls, is nocturnal, it is also necessary to understand its behavioral patterns during the day when it is usually resting, in order to understand its ecology and to protect it. If we were to apply research that focuses only on the active hours of animals to humans, it would be like observing them only during the day when they are out working and ignoring the nighttime hours when they return home and lead a family life.
To attach GPS and accelerometers to the American owls, the research team used a stuffed owl named 'Judas' and played recorded owl cries to lure the owls. According to Dr. Vitek Jirinec, lead author of the paper, capturing the owls was a thrilling and dangerous experience. Dr. Jirinec said, 'My experience so far has been with small birds. But these owls are a different kind of beast, using their sharp beaks and claws.'
The captured barred owls were fitted with GPS and accelerometers and then released to track their location and energy expenditure. The photo below shows Eliza Stein, co-author of the paper, releasing the barred owl.
By Vitek Jirinec
The data showed that Baton Rouge's barred owls tended to live in forested areas in wealthy areas, and their nighttime home ranges were significantly larger (31.8 hectares) than their daytime home ranges (8.9 hectares).
In addition, the researchers found that the habitats preferred by barred owls consume less energy, likely due to the fact that these habitats are rich in green space and resources.
Science media Earth.com said, 'The study uncovered an unexpected connection: Barred owls appear to prefer habitats in wealthier areas with more green space and resources. This phenomenon supports the 'luxury effect,' which suggests that wealthier areas tend to have better-maintained parks and more wooded areas, which foster biodiversity.'
Related Posts:
