Diet of Barn Owl Tyto alba stertens Hartert 1929 in a portion of Cauvery Delta, Tamil Nadu, India

Prey selection by the Barn Owl Tyto alba (Scopoli, 1769) in captivity

“…Although Barn Owls in the present experiment consumed all four species, a relatively higher consumption of B. bengalensis and M. meltada among the four species tested is in accordance with the findings of Neelanarayanan (2007b) in the natural habitats of Cauvery Delta, who attributed such preference to abundance of these species in crop fields. However, in the present study all the four prey species were supplied in equal number (one individual from each species in multiple choice test), the owls still consumed more B. bengalensis and M. meltada, suggesting prey abundance may not be the only major factor influencing the diet selection as reported elsewhere on barn owls (Colvin 1984;Yom-Tov & Wool 1997;Leonardi & Dell Arte 2006).…”

“…The Jacobs preference index indicated that the barn owls preference among the four prey species were B. bengalensis > M. meltada > T. indica > M. booduga, which is similar to the pattern of diet selection in natural habitat by Bar n Owls (Neelanarayanan et al 1995;Neelanarayanan 2007b). Although Barn Owls in the present experiment consumed all four species, a relatively higher consumption of B. bengalensis and M. meltada among the four species tested is in accordance with the findings of Neelanarayanan (2007b) in the natural habitats of Cauvery Delta, who attributed such preference to abundance of these species in crop fields.…”

“…These owls feed on a wide variety of prey and their preference varies from place to place. In the Cauvery Delta of southern India the Barn Owl mainly feeds on the Indian Mole Rat Bandicota bengalensis, Soft-furred Field Rat Millardia meltada and the House Rat Rattus rattus (Neelanarayanan 2007b). They are known to shift their prey preference between the pre-nesting and nesting seasons (Santhanakrishnan 1987).…”

Efficacy of Germinated Cereals as Bait Carrier for Zinc Phosphide and Bromadiolone against Field and Commensal Rodent Pests: A Laboratory Evaluation

“…According to Sivaprakasam and Durairaj [3], Neelanarayanan et al [4], and Neelanarayanan [5] the rodent pests such as Bandicota bengalensis, Millardia meltada, and Mus booduga are known to inhabit the crop fields and Tatera indica is found in barren lands around the crops fields. Neelanarayanan [5][6][7] and Neelanarayanan et al [4,[8][9][10][11] reported that these rodent pests inflict damage to different stages of various crops of this area. Brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) and house mice (Mus musculus) along with the roof rats (Rattus rattus) are known as commensal rodents; that is, they are usually found in association with humans.…”

Checklist and nesting patterns of avifauna in and around Mayiladuthurai region, Tamil Nadu, India

“…A few reports that exist (Asokan 1998 a,b;Chandru & Asokan, 1999;Asokan et al 2003Asokan et al , 2009bSivakumaran & Thiyagesan 2003;Neelanarayanan 2007) are chiefly related to the population and feeding ecology of birds. Barring a few observations on the nesting behaviour of birds (Thiyagesan 1991;Sivakumar & Jayabalan 2004;Asokan et al 2008Asokan et al , 2009a there are no detailed studies of their nesting patterns.…”