Eating habits of three species of noctural predators in Tunisia: the Little Owl, Barn Owl and Eurasian-Eagle Owl

摘要

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.