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The purpose of the research is studying helminths of carnivorous birds of the order of owls (Strigiformes) found in the Non-Black Earth Region of the Russian Federation.Materials and methods. From 2015 to 2020, complete helminthological dissections were carried out by the Skryabin method for 72 birds of the order of owls after their spontaneous death: 8 specimens of the short-eared owl Asio flammeus, 6 specimens of the Ural owl Strix uralensis, 4 specimens of the little owl Athene noctua, 9 specimens of the barn owl Tyto alba, 19 specimens of the tawny owl S. aluco, and 26 specimens of the long-eared owl A. otus. The study material was provided by rehabilitation centers and veterinary clinics in Moscow City and the Moscow, Tula and Kaluga regions. The helminths were fixed according to generally accepted methods; the species was identified taking into account specific morphological characters.Results and discussion. Total infection rate in owls was 89.9%. All studied birds were found to have mixed infections with two or more types of helminths. We identified 15 helminth species including 3 species of trematodes (Neodiplostomum attenuatum, Strigea falconis, S. strigis), 2 species of cestodes (Cladotaenia globifera, Paruterina candelabraria), 9 species of nematodes (Syngamus trachea, Cyrnea leptoptera, Microtetrameres inermis, Synhimantus laticeps, Porrocaecum depressum, P. spirale, Capillaria tenuissima, Baruscapillaria falconis, and Capillaria sp.) and 1 acanthocephalian species (Centrorhynchus aluconis). For the first time, new hosts were identified for the following helminth species: the barn owl, short-eared owl and little owl for the trematode N. attenuatum, the Ural owl and little owl for S. falconis, the long-eared owl for the nematode S. trachea, the short-eared owl and tawny owl for C. leptoptera, and the tawny owl for M. inermis.

Seven species of birds of prey studied in the Evros Delta National Park belong to a common assemblage of a trophic guild. However, their diet study revealed different groups of feeding niches. A cluster analysis provided three groups with very similar diets: The eastern imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca) and greater spotted eagle (Clanga clanga) constituted a group feeding mainly on birds with their diets including 96% (13 bird species) and 98% (16 bird species), by number respectively, most bird prey being water birds. A second group, characterized by a considerable variety of prey types dominated by small mammals and birds, included the western marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus) (67% mammals, 27% birds -at least 12 species ), black kite (Milvus migrans) (46% mammals, 39% birds -at least 11 species) and common buzzard (Buteo buteo) (birds 36% -at least 7 species, mammals 22%). In all three species, birds dominated by biomass, whereas other prey such as arthropods (mainly insects), amphibians and reptiles had a low contribution by mass where they occurred. A third group included the common barn owl (Tyto alba), feeding mainly on small mammals (97%, at least 12 species) and little owl (Athene noctua). The little owl’s diet consisted of mammals (29%, -at least 6 species), birds (5% -at least 7 species) and, though insects preponderated by number (64%), mammals were dominant by biomass in both owls. Diversity indices estimated on class level were low, ranked as B. buteo > M. migrans > A. noctua > C. aeruginosus > A. heliaca = T. alba > A. clanga. Dietary similarities may be partly due to common habitat preferences and the role of other potential factors to niche partitioning is discussed.

Social information use has well-known fitness benefits. However, causes underlying the apparent inter-individual variability in the propensity to use social information are poorly studied. Melanins are pigments responsible for most of intra-specific color variation in vertebrates and their variation is often associated with changes in behaviour. Here, we explored whether melanism is related to individual propensity to use social information in the color polymorphic scops owl Otus scops. We manipulated social information on predation risk at nests by broadcasting calls of the sympatric little owl Athene noctua and found that owlets of brownish females exposed to alarm calls had lower levels of natural antibodies than those of greyish females. In parallel, we found changes in parental behaviour contingent on coloration because when exposed to the risky treatment brownish females returned earlier to nests than greyish females and owlets raised by brownish females were fed with smaller prey than those raised by greyish ones. These results provide support for a previous ignored role of melanins on the propensity to use social information, which may help to explain the maintenance of melaninbased color polymorphisms wherever social environments are variable, The study was funded by the Spanish Ministries of Education and Science/FEDER and of Economy and Competitiveness, respectively, through the projects CGL2011-27561/BOS, CGL2014-56769-P and CGL2017-83503-P and by the Government of Extremadura through the contract TA13002 to D.P.

In African countries, birds damage to cereal crops represents economic losses. Serial field trials had been conducted to study some ecological aspects associated with harmful and beneficial bird species at newly reclaimed areas in Sohag Governorate, Upper Egypt. Regarding the harmful bird species, it is clear that the house sparrow, Passer domesticus niloticus was the most prevalent species in newly reclaimed areas, throughout the different year seasons. Hooded crow, Corvus corone sardonius ranked the second followed by palm dove, Streptopelia senegalensis egyptica and rock dove, Columba livia schimpari. On the other hand, crested lark, Galerida cristata and little green bee-eater, Merops orintalis clepatra were found in a few numbers during all seasons of the year. For the beneficial bird species, the results revealed that 9 beneficial and resident bird species Black-winged kite, Elanus coeruleus; fantailed warbler, Cisticola juncidis; hoopoe, Upupa epops epops; kestrl, Falco tinnunculus;little owl, Athene noctua glaux; swallow, Hirundo rustica savignii; spur winged plover, Hoplopterus spinosus; yellow wagtail, Motacilla flava and cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis ibis. White wagtail, Motacilla alba alba and chiffchaff, Phylloscopus collybita were found abundantly only in winter and spring seasons. With respect to the loss caused by harmful birds, the results revealed that the average of birds damage to wheat and sorghum varied according to the type of habitats. The highest birds damage occurred in crops of nearby trees, while the lowest damage was in those nearby field crops. Also, the most birds damage was recorded in the first 10 meters then, it decreased gradually towards the middle of the field. In conclusion, house sparrow, caused the most serious damage at ripening stage of considered crops. The highest damage was occurred in most cases during the ripening stages of sorghum than that of wheat crop.

Embryonic development is a fascinating subject for scientists from different biological disciplines, since it is determined by genetics, is linked to evolution, and involves morphological changes over a relatively short time period. Staging tables have been established to facilitate comparison between different clades of birds. However, embryological data for endangered and protected non-model birds are rare. Here we provide reference data for the embryonic development of the Little Owl (Athene noctua) and Tengmalm’s Owl (Aegolius funereus). We found differences in the development of these species compared with that of the American Barn Owl (Tyto furcata) with respect to the cere, beak and claws. Little Owls hatch at the most advanced state amongst these species with respect to plumage, size and weight; they incubate their eggs for just a week and can breed under more adverse conditions than the other two species.

The aim of our study was to investigate the feeding of the Little Owl (Athene noctua) during the breeding period in three protected sites (Upper Kiskunság Puszta, Upper Kiskunság Lakes, Peszéradacs Meadows) in an extensively managed lowland plain area (Upper Kiskunság) of the Carpathian Basin. A further objective was to provide a detailed assessment of the vertebrate prey spectrum and dominance structure based on the analyses of pellets. Little Owl pellets were collected in September 2015 and 2016 from 20 artificial nest boxes in which successful breeding occurred in both years. Mean pellet number was calculated per individuals. Distribution of individual number and biomass of vertebrate prey taxa were also examined. The number of collected and dissected owl pellets was 2,094 in 2015 and 2,024 in 2016, respectively. The average rate of pellet regurgitation was 25.57 pellets/ind. in 2015, and 27.74 pellets/ind. in 2016. From the 40 samples (4,118 owl pellets) a total of 2,017 vertebrate preys were determined. Cumulative species richness was 21, including 12 mammalian, 1 amphibian, 4 reptile and 4 bird species. Mammals were dominant in the food (average 50.83%), and the consumption of amphibians was similar (48.06%). The consumption of birds and reptiles was not significant. Amphibians were represented by a single species, the Common Spadefoot (Pelobates fuscus) in remarkably high proportions among the prey items, followed by the Common Vole (Microtus arvalis) by approx. 37% proportion. The high proportion of the latter two species was also clearly reflected in the biomass amounts. Among the birds, the Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) proved to be the most commonly predated species apart from other species closely related to farmland habitats (Motacilla alba, M. flava, Passer montanus).

Between 29 Mar and 10 Apr, 2015, a Little Owl Athene noctua survey was carried out using the playback method in the southern part of Montenegro. The study area was situated between the town of Ulcinj and the Bojana River delta. A total of 55 calling males were registered at 26 survey points with a maximum of 4 calling males per survey point. Considering the low response rate of the Little Owl, its local population was estimated at be 55–110 calling males. This study presents the first systematic survey of the Little Owl in Montenegro.

H9N2 influenza virus has been reported worldwide for several decades, and it has evolved into multiple genotypes among domestic poultry. However, the study involving ecology and evolution of low pathogenic avian influenza virus H9N2 in wild birds in China is limited. Here, we carried out surveillance of avian influenza virus H9N2 in wild birds along with the East Asian-Australian migratory flyway in China in 2017. To estimate the prevalence of H9N2 avian virus in wild birds, information on exposure of wild bird populations to H9N2 viruses using serology, in addition to virology, would greatly improve monitoring capabilities. In this study, we also present serological data of H9N2 among wild birds in China during 2013-2016. We report the identification of poultry-derived H9N2 isolates from asymptomatic infected multi-species wild birds such as Common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), Northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), Little owl (Athene noctua), and Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) in North China in June 2017. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that Tianjin H9N2 isolates belong to the G81 and carry internal genes highly homologous to human H10N8 and H7N9. The isolates could directly infect mice without adaptation but were restricted to replicate in the respiratory system. Glycan binding preference analyses suggested that the H9N2 isolates have acquired a binding affinity for the human-like receptor. Notably, results from transimission experiment in guinea pigs and ferrets demonstrated the wild birds-derived H9N2 influenza virus exhibits efficient transmission phenotypes in mammalian models via respiratory droplets. Our results indicate that the H9N2 AIVs continued to circulate extensively in wild bird populations and migratory birds play an important role in the spread and genetic diversification of H9N2 AIVs. The pandemic potential of H9N2 viruses demonstrated by aerosol transmission in mammalian models via respiratory droplets highlights the importance of monitoring influenza viruses in these hosts.

A juvenile Little Owl (Athene noctua) was diagnosed with granulomatous encephalitis and muscular sarcocysts. Sarcocystis halieti was identified in the brain and muscle tissue by PCR and subsequent sequencing. This is the first report of S. halieti as a potential encephalitis-causing pathogen in birds.

Birds show huge variation in color displays evolved for communication. However, among colored phenotypic traits, eyes remain largely overlooked, with only a few studies suggesting a potential signaling function or a role in mate recognition and crypsis. Iris color is a remarkably striking feature in the wholly cryptic pattern of many owls, and may potentially play a signaling function, a possibility so far neglected. Here, we studied variation and potential signaling of iris yellowness as an indicator of quality in parent-offspring communication and other social contexts in the Little Owl (Athene noctua) and Eurasian Scops-Owl (Otus scops). Yellowness did not differ between the sexes; however, adults of the two species had more intensely yellow irises than owlets. Most of variation in iris yellowness of owlets occurred between rather than within nests and seemed to be linked to parental qualities of Little Owls, but was unrelated to condition among Eurasian Scops-Owl owlets. In adults, however, we found that iris yellowness of females was positively associated with nest success (an index of female fitness) in Little Owls, but not in Eurasian Scops-Owls. This study suggests that iris color variation is unlikely to play a role in parent-offspring communication for these two owl species, but that iris yellowness of female Little Owls may potentially play a signaling role in social contexts, a possibility that should be studied in the future.

Centrorhynchus Luhe, 1911 is a large genus of acanthocephalans mainly parasitic in various strigiform and falconiform birds. Some species of Centrorhynchus have not been adequately described. Here, the detailed morphology of C. clitorideus (Meyer, 1931) was studied using light and, for the first time, scanning electron microscopy, based on newly collected specimens from the little owl Athene noctua (Scopoli) (Strigiformes: Strigidae) in Pakistan. Partial sequences of the 18S and 28S nuclear ribosomal RNA genes and the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) of C. clitorideus were generated for the first time. No nucleotide variation was detected for the partial 18S and 28S regions, but 3.30% of intraspecific nucleotide divergence was found for the cox1 gene. Phylogenetic analyses based on 28S and 18S sequence data showed that C. clitorideus formed a sister relationship with Centrorhynchus sp. MGV-2005 or Centrorhynchus sp. MGV-2005 + C. microcephalus (Bravo-Hollis, 1947), respectively.

Food availability is a major characteristic of habitat quality, linking habitats with demographic parameters such as reproductive performance. Parent birds adjust their food provisioning to both habitat-specific food characteristics and the demands of their young. However, because habitat quality and the brood's food intake are often correlated, the underlying mechanisms of adjustments in parental provisioning remain entangled. How the relationship between habitat quality and parental provisioning behaviour affects the quantity of food available to nestlings and the resulting nestling growth and survival is therefore still incompletely established. We experimentally increased the food intake of little owl, Athene noctua, nestlings in two habitat types differing in food availability and used unsupplemented broods as controls. The food supplementation experiment allowed us to disentangle the effect of habitat type from the effect of the nestlings' food intake on parental provisioning behaviour. Camera traps recording a series of 10 consecutive images for each parental visit allowed us to quantify visiting rates and diet composition by applying a hierarchical multinomial model explicitly accounting for the observation process. Food supplementation caused parents to switch to smaller food items and to increase visiting rates, resulting in similar biomass brought to nestlings in supplemented and unsupplemented broods. Irrespective of the food supplementation, parents in low-quality habitats delivered 63% of the biomass delivered by those in high-quality habitats. Accordingly, we found an increase in nestling survival rates in response to food supplementation in low-quality habitats, but not in high-quality habitats. Our results show that habitat quality affects the biomass of prey delivered to the brood, whereas the nutritional state of the brood affects prey selection or foraging modes of parents. Reproductive output directly reflected habitat quality in terms of food availability, identifying food as the main factor underlying differential reproduction within and between populations.

Between 1995 and 2017 we carried out surveys on the Little Owl (Athene noctua) in Battonya town and Kevermes village in southern Békés county. In 2007 and 2017 we have surveyed nesting sites in the village and the outer areas of Kevermes. The population of the species was estimated at the beginning of the breeding season and in early summer with field observations. Between 1995 and 2017 we collected road-kill data within the entire administrative area of Battonya. We registered each fiund road-killed Little Owl. We found 64 road-kills in Battonya. The number of casualties of the species has increased unambiguously over the studied 23 years. Most of the road-killed Little Owls (53 individuals, 82.81% of the total) were found in summer (June–August). 51 road-killed individuals (79.69%) were noted in the outer areas of Battonya, and 13 specimens (20.31%) in the town. Our results highlight that vehicle traffic is an important mortality factor for the population. The Little Owl has a large population in this landscape, and the population size has increased over the last decade. In the background of this increase is most likely the rise in the number of abandoned houses because of the unfavourable economic and social situation in the region. The local pairs nested only on attics and roof structures in Kevermes, often in residential buildings. The buildings of modern agriculture do not meet the needs of the species. A large part of the population breeds in the village, because with the disappearance of the farms the breeding pairs of the outer areas of Kevermes have disappeared. However, in Battonya the species regularly breeds in the outer areas of the town. Finally, we also collected some ethnoecological data on how local people relate to the species.

Concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were investigated in muscle samples from common kestrels (Falco tinnunculus), eagle owls (Bubo bubo), and little owls (Athene noctua) collected in Beijing, China. The concentrations of PCDD/Fs were in the ranges of 22.7–5280, 67.5–1610, and 68.4–3180 pg/g lipid weight (lw), while levels of dioxin-like PCBs ranged from 4.91 to 1560, 8.08–294, and 28.2–3540 ng/g lw, in common kestrel, eagle owl, and little owl, respectively. The main PCDD/Fs congener was 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF, and CB-153 dominated the seven indicator PCBs. PCB levels have shown a decreasing trend in the last decade for the common kestrel, but not for little owl in Beijing, which exhibited higher levels of pollutants and toxic equivalency (TEQ) values than the other two species. Concentrations of PCDD/Fs, dioxin-like PCBs, and indicator PCBs differed between fledgling and adult raptors for certain species. Raptors in this study generally had a higher TEQ than the no-observed-effect level in the literature, indicating significant exposure risks to PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs in raptors, especially in adult little owls.

Subulura chinensis Schwartz, 1926 is a hitherto poorly known nematode species. The morphology of S. chinensis has not been sufficiently well described. In addition, the molecular data from species of the Subuluroidea are extremely limited. The detailed morphology of S. chinensis was studied using light microscopy and, for the first time, scanning electron microscopy, based on newly collected specimens from the little owl Athene noctua (Scopoli) (Strigiformes: Strigidae) in China. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of ribosomal DNA and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) target regions of S. chinensis were first amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), then sequenced and analysed for the molecular identification of this species. Our SEM observations showed for the fist time the detailed morphology of the cephalic extremity, precloacal pseudo-sucker, caudal papillae, gubernaculum, phasmids and vulva of S. chinensis, and also determined the presence of a small, single medio-ventral precloacal papilla in the male. Moreover, we detected the presence of 0.08–0.40% and 0–1.30% nucleotide divergence among different individuals of S. chinensis in the ITS and cox1 regions, respectively. The supplementary morphological characters and genetic data will be very useful for the diagnosis of this poorly known species.

Owls are well adapted to nocturnal hunting. This includes vision tuned to low level light conditions, silent flight, and asymmetrical ears. Asymmetrical ears facilitate sound localization and evolved up to seven times independently in the evolutionary history of owls. However, there are also owl species with a crepuscular or diurnal lifestyle, like the little owl (Athene noctua), that have symmetrical ears as adults. Here we show that a small, but significant ear asymmetry occurs in the embryonic development of little owls, despite the presence of symmetrical ears in adults. In the asymmetric period, the left ear opening is bigger in area than its counterpart on the right. The asymmetry in the little owl occurs in the same stages at which the asymmetry in the barn owl (Tyto furcata) develops, but in the little owl the asymmetry vanishes shortly before hatching. Asymmetries in the size of the ear openings are also found in the adults of other owl species, most of them belonging to the genus Strix. We interpret our finding as an indication of a secondarily evolved diurnal activity in little owls. Further, ear asymmetry might be more deeply rooted in the evolution of owls than previously assumed.

[Six cases of birds trapped in telephone wires or in structures connected to telephone wires were signaled in the areas of Turin and Novara (Piedmont, N. W. Italy). The birds stayed hanging fatally either by chance or during a trophic activity. The species involved in the described episodes are five, but become eight when added to the ones subjects of previous signaling: Little bitten Ixobrychus minutus, Grey heron Ardea cinerea, Moorhen Gallinula chloropus, Barn owl Tyto alba, Little owl Athene noctua, Robin Erithacus rubecula, Starling Sturnus vulgaris, Hooded crow Corvus corone cornix.] [Article in Italian]

In this article we describe our data on observations of birds of prey in Eastern-Kazakhstan Upland and Northern Balkhash Lake area collected mostly in 2013, May–June and September, and also in 2012, March and May. In total we have recorded 15 species of birds of prey: Steppe Eagle ( Aquila nipalensis ), Golden Eagle ( Aquila chrysaetos ), Imperial Eagle ( Aquila heliaca ), Booted Eagle ( Hieraaetus pennatus ), Short-Toed Eagle ( Circaetus gallicus ), Long-Legged Buzzard ( Buteo rufinus ), Black-Eared Kite ( Milvus migrans lineatus ), Pallid Harrier ( Circus macrourus ), Montagu’s Harrier ( Circus pygargus ), Western Marsh Harrier ( Circus aeruginosus ), Eurasian Sparrowhawk ( Accipiter nisus ), Saker Falcon ( Falco cherrug ), Steppe Merlin ( Falco columbarius pallidus ), Lesser and Common Kestrels ( Falco naumanni , F. tinnunculus ), and also 4 owl species: Eurasian Eagle Owl ( Bubo bubo ), Short-Eared Owl ( Asio flammeus ), Little Owl ( Athene noctua ), and Scops Owl ( Otus scops ). Nesting peculiarities (data on nests' locations and breeding) are described for some species.

In birds, energy supply during growth is a major predictor of the fledglings' physical condition and survival prospects. Differential quantity and quality of fledglings produced under varying nestling food supplies are likely to affect the number of offspring that recruit into the breeding population. However, the underlying mechanisms and associated consequences are still poorly known. Using a partial cross-fostering and food supplementation experiment, we estimated the effect of variation in food supply during growth on nestling survival and fledgling phenotypic traits of Little Owls Athene noctua. Survival to fledging was much higher in food-supplemented nestlings (98.6%) than in control nestlings (82.4%). Furthermore, supplemented nestlings were on average 8.9 g heavier and were more likely to develop subcutaneous fat deposits (99.4 vs. 73.7% of treatment and control nestlings, respectively). Supplemented nestlings also had on average longer wings than control nestlings, but tarsi and culmen did not differ significantly. Furthermore, experimentally supplemented fledglings struggled more when handled and emerged sooner from tonic immobility than control fledglings. The irises of supplemented fledglings were less intensely coloured. The experimentally induced changes in nestling development probably affect individual performance beyond fledging. Nestlings from orchard-dominated habitats were larger than those from habitats dominated by arable land. As nestling food supply is largely determined by natural food availability, we conclude that habitat quality affects Little Owl productivity and offspring quality, and ultimately, population dynamics.

Pleistocene glaciations greatly affected the distribution of genetic diversity in animal populations. The Little Owl is widely distributed in temperate regions and could have survived the last glaciations in southern refugia. To describe the phylogeographical structure of European populations, we sequenced the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) and control region (CR1) in 326 individuals sampled from 22 locations. Phylogenetic analyses of COI identified two deeply divergent clades: a western haplogroup distributed in western and northwestern Europe, and an eastern haplogroup distributed in southeastern Europe. Faster evolving CR1 sequences supported the divergence between these two main clades, and identified three subgroups within the eastern clade: Balkan, southern Italian and Sardinian. Divergence times estimated from COI with fossil calibrations indicate that the western and eastern haplogroups split 2.01–1.71 Mya. Slightly different times for splits were found using the standard 2% rate and 7.3% mtDNA neutral substitution rate. CR1 sequences dated the origin of endemic Sardinian haplotypes at 1.04–0.26 Mya and the split between southern Italian and Balkan haplogroups at 0.72–0.21 Mya, coincident with the onset of two Pleistocene glaciations. Admixture of mtDNA haplotypes was detected in northern Italy and in central Europe. These findings support a model of southern Mediterranean and Balkan refugia, with postglacial expansion and secondary contacts for Little Owl populations. Central and northern Europe was predominantly recolonized by Little Owls from Iberia, whereas expansion out of the Balkans was more limited. Northward expansion of the Italian haplogroup was probably prevented by the Alps, and the Sardinian haplotypes remained confined to the island. Results showed a clear genetic pattern differentiating putative subspecies. Genetic distances between haplogroups were comparable with those recorded between different avian species.

Animal vocalizations contain information about individual identity that could potentially be used for the monitoring of individuals. However, the performance of individual discrimination is subjected to many biases depending on factors such as the amount of identity information, or methods used. These factors need to be taken into account when comparing results of different studies or selecting the most cost-effective solution for a particular species. In this study, we evaluate several biases associated with the discrimination of individuals. On a large sample of little owl male individuals, we assess how discrimination performance changes with methods of call description, an increasing number of individuals, and number of calls per male. Also, we test whether the discrimination performance within the whole population can be reliably estimated from a subsample of individuals in a pre-screening study. Assessment of discrimination performance at the level of the individual and at the level of call led to different conclusions. Hence, studies interested in individual discrimination should optimize methods at the level of individuals. The description of calls by their frequency modulation leads to the best discrimination performance. In agreement with our expectations, discrimination performance decreased with population size. Increasing the number of calls per individual linearly increased the discrimination of individuals (but not the discrimination of calls), likely because it allows distinction between individuals with very similar calls. The available pre-screening index does not allow precise estimation of the population size that could be reliably monitored. Overall, projects applying acoustic monitoring at the individual level in population need to consider limitations regarding the population size that can be reliably monitored and fine-tune their methods according to their needs and limitations.

Birds of prey such as long-eared owl (Asio otus) and little owl (Strix aluco) is a special category because of their direct contact with many species of wild rodents representing a vector for transmission of microbial agents in some territories. The study describes the types of bacteria isolated from long-eared owl and little owl and the sensitivity of these strains to antibiotics. The biological material was represented by Asio otus and Strix aluco adults representing casuistry from Clinical Hospital of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca during the period December 2014-April 2015. Sampling was performed from the cloaca, oral, axillary region and skin wounds. The identification of bacteria was carried out by bacteriological examinations using phenotypic techniques and thereafter isolates were tested regarding antibiotic susceptibility by disc diffusion method. Tests showed an increased amount of bacterial species in the mouth and cloaca. On the skin only a smaller number of bacteria types was isolated, while from skin wounds bacterial species number was the lowest. We observed that in most cases the type of bacteria in the oral cavity and cloaca is the same, predominantly bacteria of the genus Escherichia, Bacillus, and staphylococus . The sensitivity tests demonstrated that most tested strains were susceptible to Enrofloxacin, and Florfenicol. The antibiotic that resulted in the lowest susceptibility was Amoxicillin. This study lead to the isolation of major and conditioning pathogenic bacteria species predominantly from mucous membranes in Strix aluco and Asio otus . It was also observed a high sensitivity of the isolated bacteria strains to antibiotics currently used in birds.

Avian studies have shown that food quality (amino acid load) can act as a limiting factor in reproduction and possibly breeding density. In owls, the role of food quality may have been largely overlooked due to the strong effect of food quantity. I examined evidence of food quality limitation in owl reproduction from four sets of data: (1) population data in Tawny Owls and diurnal birds of prey in a degenerate forest, (2) post-laying breast muscle conditions of Tawny Owls Strix aluco and Sparrowhawks Accipiter nisus which strongly relied on internal amino acid stores during egg formation, (3) amino acid deficiency-related embryo anomaly data in failed eggs of Barn Owls Tyto alba, Little Owls Athene noctua, and two reference species, and (4) growth of Tawny Owl chicks experimentally fed with day-old chickens or mice. The Tawny Owl population was found to be stable whereas sympatric bird of prey species greatly declined; breeding female Tawny Owls (n = 5) did not show a decline of breast muscle tissue as was found in Sparrowhawks. Embryo mortality from amino acid deficiency was estimated at 63% and 12% in Barn Owls and Little Owls, respectively. Growth rate of Tawny Owl chicks did not relate to food type. I conclude that egg amino acid investments can affect embryo viability in owls, but mainly in relation to reproductive strategy instead of environment. I hypothesize that owls can obtain additional amino acids from their caecal bacteria, which are lacking in birds of prey, and thereby are less dependent on amino acid availability in the food chain to acquire the amino acids needed for egg formation and chick growth.

Abstract We compared diets of little owls (Athene noctua) and long-eared owls (Asio otus) in the Minqin Desert in northwestern China. Based on prey numbers, little owls fed mainly on mammals (51.0%) and beetles (46.9%), whereas long-eared owl fed almost exclusively on mammals (96.4%). Based on biomass, both species fed mainly on mammals. Mus musculus, Cricetulus barabensis and Meriones meridianus were the three most common mammals taken by both species. Seasonal variation was found in the diets of both species. Food niche breadth was 3.4 for little owls vs 2.9 for long-eared owls. Dietary overlap between the two species was 49.6%, but varied from 4.0% in April to 96% in January. Dietary overlap of mammals was 97.9%, indicating that both owls fed on similar rodent assemblages. Mean mass of prey was 25.8 ± 22.7 g for long-eared owls and 15.5 ± 22.7 g for little owls. The mean length of tibias of mammals in pellets also indicted that, on average, long-eared owls (18.1 ± 5.6 mm) took larger prey than little owls (16.2 ± 4.7 mm).

The diet of the Little Owl (Athene noctua) was studied in the area around Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu and Kibbutz Sha‘alvim, Israel. During the study, 1070 and 1271 specimens were identified as food items, of which invertebrates accounted for 76.4% and 84.7% of specimens and 6.5% and 21.8% of biomass. Mammals were found in 93.2% and 73.4 of pellets, respectively, and invertebrates in 69.6% and 92.2 of pellets. Mammals accounted for 21.0% and 12.8% of prey by number, birds for 1.8% and 2.2%, reptiles for 0.7% and 0.3%, and insects for 67.2% and 77.7%. As in other studies from Europe, mammals were the most important prey group when biomass was calculated. Latitudinal trends of birds and Orthoptera in the diet of the Little Owl were found, whereas no trends were found in mammals, reptiles, invertebrates, and the insect orders Coleoptera and Dermaptera.

Lateralisation, the different use of one or other side or appendix of the body, is basically determined by brain asymmetry which, in turn, is likely to be due to adaptive reasons. Several studies have been carried out on birds in general. However, birds of prey in particular, although they are very good candidates, have not been investigated from the sensory lateralisation point of view. In fact, many species scan for prey while perched and capture terrestrial prey with the feet, having at the same time the obvious necessity to keep their balance. This paper, therefore, investigates the existence of some sort of lateralisation in several species of both Falconiformes and Strigiformes temporarily in captivity. Attention is given to: (a) the direction of body rotation when perceiving a sound stimulus from behind the body and (b) the use of the feet when grasping a terrestrial prey. Lateralisation was found to be clearly present in both types of tests, although with some difference in its expression. In fact, almost every species tested rotated its body anti-clockwise, i.e. to the left, both in the first test and in repeated tests, with no noticeable difference between Falconiformes and Strigiformes. Also prey grasping showed a preferential use of one foot. Falconiformes preferred clearly to grasp the prey with one foot only in both the first test and in subsequent ones. Strigiformes, on the other hand, preferred using both feet, although a not insignificant proportion of individuals used one foot. Only the little owl seemed to have the tendency to prefer to use the right foot only, in a similar manner to Falconiformes. In fact, this bird is the most "diurnal" owl species among those tested, suggesting that lateralisation in footedness might be affected by adaptive constraints more than by phylogenetic similarities. Lateralisation, therefore, seems to be very widespread among birds of prey. Preferential use of the right foot also appears to be a general habit, and this is probably connected to the use of left hemisphere when manipulating food items.

Nous présentons ci-dessous les résultas de l'analyse du régime alimentaire de trois espèces de rapaces nocturnes, la chouette chevêche (Athene noctua), la chouette effraie (Tyto alba) et le hibou grand-duc (Bubo bubo) à partir de l'examen de leurs pelotes de réjection récoltées durant la saison 2003–2004 dans deux régions différentes en Tunisie. Le régime alimentaire de la chouette chevêche est basé sur les invertébrés (particulièrement les insectes) qui représentent 93% de la totalité des proies consommées au printemps dans une région au nord de la Tunisie. Dans la même région le régime alimentaire de l'effraie, pendant la saison estivale, est composé de 86% de vertébrés (principalement mammifères et oiseaux). Ainsi les niches trophiques des deux espèces sont très dissemblables. Les pelotes du hibou grand-duc récoltées pendant la saison automnale hivernale, dans une localité au centre de la Tunisie, renferment 87,5% de restes de vertébrés dont les petits mammifères constituent les proies principales comme l'effraie au nord de la Tunisie. Data are presented on the food of three species of owls, Little Owl (Athene noctua), Barn Owl (Tyto alba) and Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) from the analysis of pellets collected from 2003 to 2004 in two different localities in Tunisia. Invertebrates (mainly insects) were the most important prey category for Little Owl, making up 93% of prey in spring in a habitat of northern Tunisia, while vertebrates (primarily mammals) accounted for 86% of Barn Owl prey in summer in the same locality. The diet overlap is extremely low. The analysis of Eagle Owl pellets collected in autumn and winter indicated that vertebrates were the major prey items (87.5%). Thus the primary prey of Barn Owl and Eagle Owl in two different habitats of northern and central Tunisia was small mammals. Ostrich 2007, 78(2): 377–379

Analysis of Little Owl (Athene noctua) pellets collected from Safawi area, Jordan, has revealed the presence of at least six species of reptiles belonging to three families (Gekkonidae, Lacertidae and Agamidae), four mammalian species representing three families (Cricetidae, Muridae and Dipodidae), two unidentified bird species, one scorpion, one solifugid, five beetles belonging to two families (Tenebrionidae and Buprestidae), and one species of the order Orthoptera. These findings suggest that A. noctua is a diurnal hunter in the Safawi area.

We assessed dietary exposure of the little owl Athene noctua to trace metal contamination in a Dutch Rhine River floodplain area. Diet composition was calculated per month for three habitat types, based on the population densities of six prey types (earthworms, ground beetles and four small mammal species) combined with the little owl’s functional response to these prey types. Exposure levels showed a strong positive relationship with the dietary fraction of earthworms, but also depended on the dietary fraction of common voles, with higher common vole fractions resulting in decreasing exposure levels. Spatio-temporal changes in the availability of earthworms and common voles in particular resulted in considerable variation in exposure, with peaks in exposure exceeding a tentative toxicity threshold. These findings imply that wildlife exposure assessments based on a predefined, average diet composition may considerably underestimate local or intermittent peaks in exposure.

Knowledge of a species’ spatial behaviour is essential for understanding its behavioural ecology, as well as a prerequisite to planning of conservation strategies. The Little Owl (Athene noctua) has shown a substantial decline in north-western Europe and is on the road of extinction in Denmark. To quantify relevant aspects of spatial behaviour in the last remaining Danish population, we followed 27 radio-tagged owls representing 14 territories during a period of 2 years. Mated owls were resident at nesting sites year-round with half of all nocturnal locations found within 125 m. Mean nightly distance from roosts peaked in January at 249 m (95% CI = 195–319) and dipped in May to 89 m (66–121). Distance from roosts varied non-linearly with temperature with the longest distances found at 6°C. Home range size varied with more than a tenfold difference between pairs, with pairs with neighbours maintaining 2–3 times larger ranges than isolated pairs independent of habitat composition. Mean home range size of 14 pairs was 41 (95% CI 27–64) and 2.6 ha (1.5–4.5) for 90 and 50% minimum convex polygons, respectively. Males and females behaved similarly, except in the breeding season where females foraged closer to the nest. Mates overlapped completely in activity distributions and were located closer to each other than expected by chance, suggesting a permanent pair-bond. Inter-mate distances were not shorter prior to egg laying compared to the rest of the year, indicating little male investment in mate guarding. No mates left their partner, but widowed birds left their territory within 6–12 months if unable to attract a new mate.

The role played by predation of birds in the mortality of British bats is assessed. A review of dietary studies and anecdotal accounts revealed eleven species of bird which occasionally feed on bats–Herring Gull Larus argentatus, Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus, Rook Corvus frugilegus, Carrion Crow Corvus corone, Little Owl Athene noctua, Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus, Kestrel Falco tinnunculus, Hobby Falco subbuteo, Merlin Falco columbarius, Peregrine Falco peregrinus and Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus. A further three species feed more frequently on bats–Barn Owl Tyto alba, Tawny Owl Strix aluco and Long-eared Owl Asio otus. Rates of predation were very low accounting for only 00034oo of items taken by small hawks and falcons (n items = 29 519) but 0035o, of prey taken by owls (n items = 99 479). By multiplying together the average annual prey capture rates of the predators, assessed from their energetic food requirements and direct observations of prey intake rates, the British populations of the predators and the contribution to the diet made by bats, the annual number of bats which die each year as a result of predation was estimated. The total losses of bats to predation might amount to about 201 400 bats/annum. The most significant predators are Tawny Owl (c. 168 850 bats/annum), Barn Owl (c. 8800 bats/ annum), Long-eared Owl (c. 10 200 bats/annum) and Kestrels (c. 8400 bats/annum). This predation by avian predators would account for about 11 % of the annual mortality of British bats. An assessment of the biases involved in this calculation suggests it is probably a minimum estimate. Despite the apparent low representation of bats in the diets of predatory birds, the effects of this predation on bat behaviour and population dynamics cannot be ignored.

Defence of offspring by male swallows against a stuffed little owl, Athene noctua, predator model was studied in relation to participation of the mate in extra-pair copulations. The frequency of extra-pair copulations was manipulated by temporarily detaining males during the fertile period of their mates. Experimental colonial females experienced more extra-pair copulations than control colonial ones. Detained males defended their offspring less intensely, staying away from the predator model, giving fewer alarm calls and spending less time near the predator than did their mates. Solitarily breeding experimental females did not experience more extra-pair copulations than did their controls. Temporary detention of a group of colonial males during the incubation period of their mates did not reduce the intensity of their brood defence compared to control males, suggesting that detention per se did not have a negative effect on brood defence. The frequency of extra-pair copulations, and therefore presumably certainty of paternity, thus affects amount of, and sex roles in, anti-predator defence.

In this study, two raptor species, the common buzzard (Buteo buteo) and the little owl (Athene noctua), were investigated for lead and cadmium concentrations, using liver, kidneys, pectoral muscle, sternum bone, and feathers. All the collected birds died at the Centro Recupero Rapaci of Lega Italiana Protezione Uccelli in Sala Baganza (Parma, Italy). They arrived alive at the Centro between November 1998 and November 1999 but died or were put to death as a consequence of injuries or other ailments. The results of the investigation do not show an excessive exposure to cadmium, whereas some interesting data have emerged in the case of lead. The concentration of the latter in the liver and in the bone of two little owls seem to suggest the possibility of chronic exposure. The high values found in one common buzzard, on the other hand, suggest an acute exposure and, probably, a case of lead shot ingestion.

The purpose of this study was to monitor exposure to lead in four species of raptors in Southeastern Spain (Murcia Region). Samples of liver, kidney, brain, blood, and bone from two species of diurnal raptors (European kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) and European buzzard (Buteo buteo)) and two species of nocturnal raptors (Eagle owl (Bubo bubo) and Little owl (Athene noctua)) were obtained during 1994. Relationships were found between size and age of the birds, the nearness to areas of human activity and lead concentrations in tissues. The lead distribution pattern reveals that the bone is the principle organ for accumulation (0.62–43 mg/Kg, dry weight), followed by the kidney (0.03–0.66 mg/Kg, wet weight), and liver (0.017–0.05 mg/Kg, w.w.), and to lesser extent, the brain (0.013–0.223 mg/Kg, w.w.). This distribution pattern indicates that raptors in Southeastern Spain were exposed to environmental low lead levels continuously over an extended period of time. Correlations between lead in bone and lead in soft tissues were higher in European buzzards (r = 0.87–0.95) and Eagle owl (r = 0.71–0.86) than those found in European kestrels (r = 0.53–0.58) and Little owls (r < 0). However, correlations between lead concentrations in soft tissues and in blood were high (r = 0.85–0.99).

WOS:A1991FM62000004; International audience; The possible structural relation between species-specificity and interspecific mimicry has been investigated in European starling's song. Mimicries have been recorded in several populations in Europe and in New Zealand. Previous studies of starling's song have shown that two basic categories, one composed of simple and loud songs (whistles), the other of long quiet and complex songs (warbles) can be recognized in the repertories of all male starlings. Mimicries can be found in both contexts: in a loud and isolated way or included in warbling sequences. In Europe, about a third of the whistles are mimicries in an individual repertoire. Within a colony, the types of mimicries are individual-specific, but the same loud mimicries can be heard in different colonies. The loud mimicries are characterized by a high homogeneity amongst populations: half of those recorded in different countries in Europe correspond to the same 4 models (blackbird, little owl, buzzard, oriole). This does not reflect the abundance of the species in the environment and suggests a very strong selectivity. Results are totally different for the warbling in which most mimicries are unique to one starling and mainly reflect the sound environment. Little overlap is found between warbled and loud mimicries. Both in Europe and New Zealand, loud mimicries tend to have a simple whistled structure whereas the warbled ones most often include trills and several varied notes. Structural relations could be found between the species-specific whistled themes and the types of loud mimicries. Similarly quiet mimicries are included in the characteristic organization of warbling. Therefore it is suggested that the starling possesses two types of "templates" in its species-specific song which are reflected in its mimicries with quite different degrees of selectivity. These two categories of mimicries may have evolved for functional reasons that are linked to the corresponding functions of the species-specific songs themselves.

Summary 1. Three basic hatching methods are described together with one subsidiary method. The symmetrical method is characterized by rotation of the chick in the egg during hatching climax; a line of damage around the circumference of the egg is evident at the beginning of a pushing phase which causes a fairly symmetrical cap to be broken from the shell. The asymmetrical method is used by a few long-billed species; it involves little or no rotation of the chick in the egg, and produces asymmetrical shell remains. The megapodes have developed a unique hatching method in response to their unusual incubation conditions. Parental assistance has been observed in some species, but only as an auxiliary to either the symmetrical or asymmetrical method. Approximately 150 species have been categorized according to the hatching method(s) they use. 2. Among those species adopting the symmetrical method, there is considerable variability as to how far the chick turns in the egg during hatching climax. On this basis, a spectrum of behaviour, expressed in terms of angle of rotation (θ), has been proposed. At one end lie species such as the bobwhite quail and little owl (θ≥ 360°), and at the other, the ostrich and rhea (θ≤ 90°). 3. The theory that, with the exception of the megapodes, there is only one basic hatching method is examined. The tenets of this theory are found to be inconsistent with recent observations of species differences in hatching behaviour. It is concluded that hatching behaviour is governed by an intrinsic species-specific programme, in turn influenced by mechanical or other external factors. 4. The literature contains several suggestions as to the external factors that might influence hatching technique, but only one detailed investigation. It is proposed that interspecific differences in the mechanical properties of the egg integument (the shell and its underlying membranes) can be regarded as forming a spectrum from very brittle to comparatively tough. The amount of climax rotation by the chick is seen as an adaptive response to brittleness or toughness of the egg integument. The hatching technique of the chick is further modified as a response to the effect of moisture content on the integument. 5. The selective pressures leading to the evolution of the symmetrical and asymmetrical hatching methods are discussed. The previous model for the development of the asymmetrical method is amended to account for those species of gull which may adopt either method.

Pest feeding birds in the antique The usefulness of certain species of birds in exterminating of vermins was known already in the antique. From birds looked useful were mentioned (whereby we are dependent partially on suppositions): owls, little owl, throstles, wood-pecker, hawk, ibis, stork and rock-partridge. A special part is attributed to the birds in fighting against the grass-hoppers; there is reported about the useful activity on this section by daws, rose-ousels, krestels, owls blue-rollers, crows and larks. Some of this birds are so much estimated, that they were protected by strong penalties. However for the “beginning of bird-protection” ther were decisive only selfish views in regard of men or magic ideas. Illustrations about birds with vermins especially with grass-hoppers are found sporadicly on coins, gems and mosaics. The pictured birds are owl, cook, throstle and on the mosaics here for the first time published: purple-hen, indian parrot and another bird perhaps Glareola pratincola.

The activity of six digestive enzymes (amylase, chitinase, trypsin, chymotrypsin, carboxypeptidase A, pepsin) was examined in the water-soluble contents of the pellets egested by ten species of raptors (kestrel, saker, lanner, goshawk, barn owl, tawny owl, little owl, long-eared owl, African great-owl and steppe eagle). All the enzymes studied were present in the pellets from these birds, except for chitinase which was not detected in the pellets of the goshawk and the steppe eagle, and amylase and carboxypeptidase absent in the material egested by the lanner. The origin of the enzymes studied was examined. Pancreatic enzymes, which are present in the pellets, arise from a reflux of intestinal fluid into the stomach. The importance of this phenomenon is discussed. The acidity of the pellets was measured. Relations existing between the type of food, characteristics of the pellet and the digestive process in raptors are analysed. The evolutionary advantage of pellet egestion is discussed.

Predation on experimental groups of desert rodents by the owl, Athene brahma , was differentially successful. Owls sought to capture all types, but adult Meriones libycus were never caught, whereas juvenile M. libyens were always seized. The data support the hypothesis that hearing plays a significant role in the avoidance of owls, but direct experiments comparing owl success in capturing adults with normal and surgically impaired hearing are needed to confirm the hypothesis. Mechanisms that may influence the evolution of behavioral patterns and anatomical structures of desert rodents for evading owls are suggested.

Herpesvirus strigis, a new species of the genus Herpesvirus, is a pathogen for several species of owls in the order Srigiformes. Natural infection has been observed in the Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo L.), Long-eared Owl (Asio otus L.) and Snowy Owl (nyctea scandiaca L.) In addition the Little Owl (Athene noctua Scopolic) and Tengmalms Owl (Aegolius funereus L.) was experimentally infected. On the other hand the Tawny Owl (Strix aluco L.) and Barn Owl (Tyto albo Scopoli) proved resistant to a massive experimental infection. Of representatives from nine other orders of birds and mammals, only the Old World Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus L.) was found susceptible to this virus. Distribution of viral antigen in various organs of infected owls, as determined by immunofluorescence and by quantitative virus assay, was in accordance with the occurrence of macroscopic and microscopic lesions.

A fertile source of error in protozoology is to be found in the overlooking of the occurrence of mixed infections in a host. Two organisms, each independent of the other, may happen to coexist in the intestine of an insect or the blood of a vertebrate, the result being that the investigator may confuse stages in the life-cycles of parasites which are not related to each other. This source of error has led to unwarranted generalisations which have impeded scientific progress for years. Two examples at once come to mind—the trouble wrought by Schaudinn in 1904 in confusing the life-cycles of the protozoa found in the little owl, and the impediment put in the way of progress by the omission of certain workers to recognise thatCrithidia grayiwas not a part of the life-cycle of a trypanosome. The existence of mixed infections was overlooked in each case.