The Feeding Habits of Four Raptors in Central Italy
Journal
Raptor Research
Volume
8
Issue
3-4 (Fall-Winter)
Year
1974
Pages
45-57
Section
Scientific Papers
Online Text
ABSTRACT
The crop and gizzard contents of 84 Common Kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) and 49 Common Buzzards (Buteo buteo), as well as the gizzard contents of 113 Little Owls (Athene noctua) and 70 Barn Owls (Tyro alba) were examined in the district of Siena in Central Italy. Collections were made over three years during the shooting seasons. For all species except the Barn Owl, and in contrast to their diets in European countries further north, insects (instead of birds and small mammals) become the staple food during the colder seasons. This may be due to the high availability of arthropods in the Mediterranean area during autumn and winter.
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