Reinforcement of declining little owl (Athene noctua) population: A peculiar case of post-release habitat selection and underground roosting

Abstract

Population reinforcement programs using captive-bred individuals are effective tools in species conservation. One of the key aspects contributing to the success of such programs is the selection of a suitable habitat, one that meets a species’ biotic and abiotic needs through space and time. However, securing adequate locations does not always imply that the released individuals remain at the release site. This study provides a record of unusual post-release spatial behaviour and erroneous habitat selection by the little owl (Athene noctua), for which a reinforcement program was launched in the Pilsen region in the Czech Republic due to the constant decline in the size of the local population. During observations, the absence of forest avoidance typical for Central European populations, along with underground roosting, were observed. More specifically, one of the soft-released individuals settled in a patch of dense forest establishing a home range equivalent in size to 3.54 ha. Within its home range, underground cavities were regularly used for diurnal roosting. To determine whether this behaviour was an accidental event or the result of captive breeding, and thus whether its manifestation can be expected in other individuals that originate from captivity in the future, additional observation of the released owls is needed.

Keywords

• Release
• Dispersion
• Roost site
• Telemetry
• Athene noctua
• Conservation