Diet Composition of the Pharaoh Eagle Owl, Bubo ascalaphus, in Azraq Nature Reserve, Jordan

Authors : Adwan H SHEHAB, Michal CIACH

Pages : 65-69

View : 15 | Download : 6

Publication Date : 0000-00-00

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Pellets of the Pharaoh Eagle Owl Bubo ascalaphus were collected from Azraq Nature Reserve in the Eastern Desert of Jordan. Analysis of the content of the owl pellets yielded the remains of 107 individuals of prey representing 15 different species. Based on the numbers of individual prey items, 13.1% was represented by 3 insectivores insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Hemiechinus aff. auritus, Crocidura suaveolens, and Suncus etruscus); and 73.8% by 4 rodents insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Mus aff. musculus, Meriones libycus, Gerbillus nanus, and Jaculus jaculus);. In total, mammals constituted 86.9% of the total number of prey items and 89.9% of the prey mass. We also identified 4 birds insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Passer domesticus, Luscinia sp, Sylvia sp, one belonging to Alaudidae family);, as well as 2 unidentified lizards, 1 snake, and 2 insects.
Keywords : Bubo ascalaphus, Pharaoh Eagle Owl, Azraq, Jordan, pellets, small mammals