NESTING AND DIET OF THE BARN OWL (TYTO ALBA) IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

We investigated nesting of Barn Owls (Tyto alba) in central Punjab, Pakistan, from 1999–2002. We also documented diet of Barn Owls in southern Punjab and southeastern Baluchistan, Pakistan. Of 40 nests found in central Punjab, 33 were located in tree hollows, four in buildings, and three in nest boxes. Egg-laying was observed primarily between the second week of August and October (N = 23), with a smaller number of nests started May–July (N = 5). Fledging of the autumn nests was completed by early January, and all breeding efforts observed in May–July were unsuccessful. During the August–January breeding period, clutch size averaged 5.83 eggs (SE = 0.47; range = 1–12; N = 23) and brood size 4.15 nestlings (SE = 0.28; range = 2–7; N = 20). Shrews (59%), birds (19%), rats and mice (13%), and insects (7%) were the main prey in southern Punjab, whereas rats and mice (93%), shrews (4%), and amphibians and reptiles (3%) were the main prey in southeastern Baluchistan.