Pellet Analyses of Sporadic Breeding Short-Eared Owl (Asio flammeus) in Central Israel

This study investigates the dietary habits and breeding behaviors of the Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) in central Israel, highlighting its reliance on rodent populations, particularly Günther's vole (Microtus guentheri), as a primary food source. In 260 pellets, we identified 385 individual prey items, with mammals constituting 98.2% of the diet, underscoring the owl's almost exclusive dependence on these small mammals for sustenance. The average weight of the analyzed pellets was 3.3 grams (+ 1.11 SD), with a significant majority of the biomass derived from rodent prey. Our findings reveal that the Short-eared Owl exhibits opportunistic breeding behaviors, migrating in response to prey availability and occasionally breeding outside its known range when conditions are favorable. This research contributes to understanding the ecological dynamics of the Short-eared Owl in a rapidly changing environment and emphasizes the importance of rodent populations in sustaining their breeding success. The results underscore the need for targeted conservation efforts to protect the owl and its critical prey species in the region.