Diet composition of the Pharaoh eagle owl, Bubo ascalaphus, across agricultural and natural areas in Saudi Arabia

Composição da dieta da coruja bufo-real, Bubo ascalaphus, em áreas agrícolas e naturais em Arábia Saudita

Abstract

The diet of the Pharaoh eagle owl, Bubo ascalaphus, inhabiting agricultural and natural areas in Saudi Arabia, was studied. Pellet analysis for B. ascalaphus in the agricultural area contained a high percentage (61.3%) of the house mouse, Mus musculus, while pellets collected from natural habitats were void of M. musculus, however, with a high proportion of wild rodents (Meriones crassus (28.6%) and Jaculus loftusi (41.6%). This suggests the importance of this owl as a biological control agent in agricultural areas.

Keywords:
owls; biological control; feeding behaviour; Saudi Arabia