<b>Analysis of regurgitated pellets of Spotted Owlet <I>Athene brama</I> (Temminck, 1821) (Aves: Strigiformes: Strigidae) from Punjab, India</b>

Abstract

The present study was conducted to determine the diet of Spotted Owlet Athene brama. Analysis of 200 regurgitated pellets collected from eight different locations in Punjab (India) determined average weight, length, breadth and thickness to be 1.0g, 27.0mm, 16.0mm and 12.0mm, respectively. Remains of a total 433 individual prey were found in these pellets. Diet of Spotted Owlet consisted of both vertebrates (45.7%) and invertebrates (54.3%). Among vertebrates, mice (45.0%) were predominant, followed by frogs (0.5%) and birds (0.2%). Among invertebrates, diet mainly consisted of insects (53.8%) followed by molluscs (0.5%). Insects preyed upon by Spotted Owlet were predominantly of orders Coleoptera (34.9%), followed by Orthoptera (10.2%), Dermaptera (7.9%) and some unidentified orders (0.9%). The remnants of insects and molluscs in the pellets comprised of wings, legs, head, shells etc. The average number of mice consumed per pellet was 1.32, with a maximum capacity of consuming up to five mice per night.

Pesticide Residue Anlysis in Excreta of Spotted Owlet Athene Brama and Barn Owl Tyto Alba

“…It is also sprayed in crop fields for control of insect pests. In a study conducted by Malhotra and Singla (2018) on analysis of regurgitated pellets of spotted owlet from Punjab, India the diet of spotted owlet mainly consisted of insects i.e. 53.8% which indicates the entry of pesticide through food chain.…”