Flammulated Owl (\u3ci\u3eOtus Flammeolus\u3c/i\u3e) Breeding Ecology in Aspen Forests of Northern Utah: Including Responses to Ski Area Development

A number of aspects of Flammulated Owl (Otus flammeolus) breeding ecology were studied in the aspen forests of northern Utah. The primary study site, Snow Basin, is undergoing heavy development in preparation for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. First, Flammulated Owl reproduction was measured to investigate possible impacts of Olympic ski area development. Flammulated Owls nesting near the development site fledged significantly fewer young than owls at the control site, and also differed compared to data from other Flammulated Owl studies. Reduced productivity was attributable to significantly lower hatching rates at Snow Basin. Ski area development as well as high levels of recreational use were the most likely causes of this reduced productivity, possibly causing incubating females to flush, resulting in egg mortality. Second, an experiment was conducted to investigate possible impacts of artificial lighting on breeding Flammulated Owls. Flammulated Owls were observed foraging in and around lights, suggesting that lights did not have a negative impact. Feeding rates, development of young, and productivity were compared between lighted and unlighted nests and did not differ statistically. Finally, because the habitat at Snow Basin is unique for Flammulated Owls, and because the population nests primarily in nest boxes, habitat characteristics were described and nest site preferences examined. Results suggested Flammulated Owls were not as limited by habitat type as previously thought

How Misinformation Fosters Urban Human-Coyote Conflicts

The Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) recently conducted an urban coyote symposium for city decisionmakers in the Denver metro area in response to a burgeoning coyote problem, including multiple attacks on humans. The symposium was well organized, but it conveyed typical messages about managing human-coyote conflicts that I contend are misconceptions and misinformation. They include: we’re encroaching on coyote habitat; coyotes that attack pets and people are abnormal; lethal control should only be used as a last resort; killing coyotes simply produces more coyotes; we should coexist with our “coyote neighbors”; hazing is the answer; and “it’s a people problem, not a coyote problem”. I dispute these concepts, and I contend that promoting the components of coexistence can actually foster human-coyote conflicts. In the process I also support the case for lethal control

Vertebrate prey in the diet of Flammulated Owls in northern Utah

Volume: 37Start Page: 244End Page: 24

Survey of Blood Parasites in Two Forest Owls, Northern Saw-Whet Owls and Flammulated Owls, of Western North America

Except for a few studies in the eastern United States, little has been published on hemoparasites in owls. We surveyed the blood parasites of 108 Northern Saw-whet Owls (Aegolius acadicus) and 24 Flammulated Owls (Otus flammeolus) in Idaho during autumn migration in 1999 and 2000. We also surveyed 15 Flammulated Owls (FLOW) during breeding season in Utah from 2000. Leucocytozoon ziemanni, Haemoproteus syrnii, Haemoproteus noctuae,and Trypanosoma avium were identified. The overall prevalence of infection was 53% (78/147) and for the combined species, prevalences ofHaemoproteus, Leucocytozoon, and Trypanosoma species were 20%, 39%, and 4%, respectively. Northern Saw-whet Owls (NSWO) had an overall prevalence of 51% (55/108), with prevalences of 6%, 47%, and 4% by hemoparasite genus, respectively. Flammulated Owls had an overall prevalence of 59% (23/39), with prevalences of 56%, 18%, and 5% by genus, respectively. This study provides baseline hematozoa information for two boreal owl species

Breeding Dispersal by Birds in a Dynamic Urban Ecosystem

<div><p>Changes in land cover during urbanization profoundly affect the diversity of bird communities, but the demographic mechanisms affecting diversity are poorly known. We advance such understanding by documenting how urbanization influences breeding dispersal—the annual movement of territorial adults—of six songbird species in the Seattle, WA, USA metropolitan area. We color-banded adults and mapped the centers of their annual breeding activities from 2000–2010 to obtain 504 consecutive movements by 337 adults. By comparing movements, annual reproduction, and mate fidelity among 10 developed, 5 reserved, and 11 changing (areas cleared and developed during our study) landscapes, we determined that adaptive breeding dispersal of sensitive forest species (Swainson’s Thrush and Pacific wren), which involves shifting territory and mate after reproductive failure, was constrained by development. In changing lands, sensitive forest specialists dispersed from active development to nearby forested areas, but in so doing suffered low annual reproduction. Species tolerant of suburban lands (song sparrow, spotted towhee, dark-eyed junco, and Bewick’s wren) dispersed adaptively in changing landscapes. Site fidelity ranged from 0% (Pacific wren in changing landscape) to 83% (Bewick’s wren in forest reserve). Mate fidelity ranged from 25% (dark-eyed junco) to 100% (Bewick’s wren). Variation in fidelity to mate and territory was consistent with theories positing an influence of territory quality, asynchronous return from migration, prior productivity, and reproductive benefits of retaining a familiar territory. Costly breeding dispersal, as well as reduced reproductive success and lowered survival cause some birds to decline in the face of urbanization. In contrast, the ability of species that utilize edges and early successional habitats to breed successfully, disperse to improve reproductive success after failure, and survive throughout the urban ecosystem enables them to maintain or increase population size.</p></div

Classification of satellite images (top row) into suburban vegetation classes (bottom row) at original breeding site during year of occupancy (Territory A, Year 1), original breeding site during year it was abandoned (Territory A, Year 2), and new breeding site during year of occupancy (Territory B, Year 2).

<p>In this example of a Pacific wren, the breeding male moved 647m from Territory A to Territory B in association with clearing of a portion of his former territory for construction of a new subdivision.</p