Further dietary samples of the Eastern Barn Owl Tyto javanica delicatula from the eastern Australian arid zone

Abstract

The diet of the Eastern Barn Owl Tyto javanica delicatula was quantified by pellet analysis from two sites in the eastern Australian arid zone: Mulyungarie Station pastoral property in north-eastern South Australia in June 2011 (n = 47 pellets and fragments), and Naree Reserve (a private conservation reserve) innorth-western New South Wales in September 2022 (n = 15 pellets and fragments). The Owl’s diet at Mulyungarie consisted, by number, of 98% mammals, 1% bird, 1% reptile and <1% insect, of which the introduced House Mouse Mus musculus formed 88% and native mammals 10% (4% dasyurids, 6% rodents) or, overall, 94% rodents. By biomass, mammals contributed 99% (House Mice 85%, native mammals 14%). The Owl’s diet at Naree consisted, by number, of 99% House Mice and 1% insect (100% mice by biomass).