Are Nest Predators Responsible for Declining Productivity of Burrowing Owls in the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area?
Faculty Mentor Information
Dr. Jim Belthoff (Mentor), Boise State University
Abstract
Burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia) are a species of conservation concern throughout their western North American range. Until recently, populations in the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area (NCA), located in southwestern Idaho, appeared reasonably stable. However, there have been spiraling rates of productivity in recent years that raise concern. One hypothesis for the declines is that the owls are now suffering greater rates of nest predation, which reduces productivity. Similar to many ground-nesting species of bird, burrowing owls are susceptible to a suite of predation threats, including both mammalian and avian predators and those active at night (nocturnal) as well as during the day (diurnal). Using motion-activated infrared trail cameras placed at >25 burrowing owl nests in the NCA, our research characterizes the types and rates of predator visits to burrowing owl nests during the 2024 breeding season. We quantify the number of predator visits by species of mammals and birds, the number occurring at night and during daylight hours, and the number of actual predation events observed by trail cameras. We compare rates to similar data collected in 2017 to understand rates of change and test the hypothesis that increases in predation underly the recent decreases in productivity.
Are Nest Predators Responsible for Declining Productivity of Burrowing Owls in the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area?
Burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia) are a species of conservation concern throughout their western North American range. Until recently, populations in the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area (NCA), located in southwestern Idaho, appeared reasonably stable. However, there have been spiraling rates of productivity in recent years that raise concern. One hypothesis for the declines is that the owls are now suffering greater rates of nest predation, which reduces productivity. Similar to many ground-nesting species of bird, burrowing owls are susceptible to a suite of predation threats, including both mammalian and avian predators and those active at night (nocturnal) as well as during the day (diurnal). Using motion-activated infrared trail cameras placed at >25 burrowing owl nests in the NCA, our research characterizes the types and rates of predator visits to burrowing owl nests during the 2024 breeding season. We quantify the number of predator visits by species of mammals and birds, the number occurring at night and during daylight hours, and the number of actual predation events observed by trail cameras. We compare rates to similar data collected in 2017 to understand rates of change and test the hypothesis that increases in predation underly the recent decreases in productivity.