Prey ecology of Mexican spotted owls in pine-oak forests of northern Arizona

We studied Mexican spotted owl (Strix occidentalis lucida) diets and the relative abundance and habitat associations of major prey species in a ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa)-Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii) forest in north-central Arizona, USA, from 1990 to 1993. The owl's diet was comprised of 94% mammals by biomass and consisted of primarily the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus), brush mouse (P boylii), Mexican woodrat (Neotoma mexicana), and Mexican vole (Microtus mexicanus). Spotted owl prey in our study area were smaller on average than prey in other locations, and the total biomass of potential prey was less than that reported in other areas within the owl's geographic range. Although all prey populations...

Categories: Publication; Types: Citation, Journal Citation; Tags: Journal of Wildlife Management, Mexican spotted owl, Mexican woodrat, Neotoma mexicana, P. maniculatus, All tags... Peromyscus boylii, Strix occidentalis lucida, brush mouse, deer mouse, diet, habitat selection, north-central Arizona, ponderosa pine-Gambel oak forest, prey abundance, prey habitat, Fewer tags