Al Ghamdi AR, Al Gethami F, Abu Baker M, Al Atawi T, Al Boug A, Amr Z. Diet composition of the Pharaoh eagle owl, Bubo ascalaphus, across agricultural and natural areas in Saudi Arabia.
BRAZ J BIOL 2023;
83:e276117. [PMID:
38126639 DOI:
10.1590/1519-6984.276117]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
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.
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