Behaviour and family association during the post-fledging period in Southern Boobooks Ninox boobook

Jerry Olsen, Ernesto Esteban Fuentes, Susan Trost, S.J.S. Debus

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Abstract

The post- edging dependence period, a crucial stage in developing survival skills, is a poorly studied ontogenetic phase in Australian owls. Post- edging behaviour, development and dispersal were studied in 10 broods in six territories of the Southern Boobook Ninox boobook in Canberra, ACT during 1999–2008 using colour-banding and radio-tracking. Owlets edged in summer (usually December–January) at 33–41 days old (mean 37 days). Fledglings roosted with one or both parents in the early stages post- edging (Weeks 1–4), progressing (Weeks 5–7) to roosting only with the male after female desertion and then to only roosting together. They nally attained independence from parental feeding at 44–57 (mean 48) days and dispersed from the natal territory at 44–72 (mean 56) days post- edging in late summer/early autumn. The ndings re ne the ages at which young Boobooks have been claimed to edge and disperse, and give us a better understanding of the species’ ecological requirements in the face of increasing human pressures on their environment.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)61-70
Number of pages10
JournalCorella
Volume44
Publication statusPublished - 2020

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