The feeding and breeding ecology of Barn Owls Tyto alba in Peninsular Malaysia

Barn Owls have only recently colonized Peninsular Malaysia, nesting in the roof spaces of houses in oil palm estates and feeding on the rats which inhabit these plantations. Pellet analysis showed that the prey spectrum was confined almost entirely to three species of the genus Rattus which are the major pests of oil palm. There was no annual variation in diet. Breeding showed a broad seasonality but occurred in all months of the year. Mean clutch and brood sizes of 6.6 and 4.6 respectively were recorded, most pairs producing two broods a year although on two occasions three were raised. Overall hatching success was 69.0% with first clutches more successful (79.9%) than second (57.3%). First broods fledged 86.1% and second broods 69.1% of young fledged. Comparison of growth rates of different sized broods suggested that there is a physiological maximum at which all broods proceed irrespective of brood size. The behaviour al changes needed in hunting techniques when colonizing dense plantations rather than the more usual open habitat of Barn Owls is discussed. The breeding strategy seems to be one of producing large clutches and broods, and frequent breeding attempts in a habitat with a high potential carrying capacity.