Use of Video Probe Does Not Affect Burrowing Owl Reproductive Parameters or Return Rates |
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Authors: | VICTORIA GARCIA COURTNEY J CONWAY |
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Institution: | United States Geological Survey, Arizona Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, 325 BioSciences East, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA |
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Abstract: | ABSTRACT We tested how repeated use of an infrared video probe influenced burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) reproduction and recruitment. In 2001, we randomly assigned occupied burrows in Washington State, USA, to one of 2 groups: 1) inspected throughout the breeding season with an infrared video probe (n = 38), or 2) never inspected with a probe (n = 41). We did not detect differences between the 2 groups in nesting success, number of fledglings per nest, natal recruitment, or likelihood of adults returning to the same burrow the following year (2002) or to the study area in a subsequent year (2002–2005). |
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Keywords: | Athene cunicularia burrowing owl cavity nest disturbance eastern Washington fiberscope infrared video probe |
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