Owls may use faeces and prey feathers to signal current reproduction.

PloS One
Vincenzo Penteriani, María del Mar Delgado

Abstract

Many animals communicate by marking focal elements of their home range with different kinds of materials. Visual signaling has been demonstrated to play a previously unrecognized role in the intraspecific communication of eagle owls (Bubo bubo), in both territorial and parent-offspring contexts. Visual signals may play a role in a variety of circumstances in this crepuscular and nocturnal species. Here, we report that a large amount of extremely visible white faeces and prey feathers appear during the breeding season on posts and plucking sites in proximity to the nest, potentially representing a way for eagle owls to mark their territory. We present descriptive and experimental evidence showing that faeces and prey remains could act as previously unrecognized visual signals in a nocturnal avian predator. This novel signaling behavior could indicate the owls' current reproductive status to potential intruders, such as other territorial owls or non-breeding floaters. Faeces and prey feather markings may also advertise an owl's reproductive status or function in mate-mate communication. We speculate that faeces marks and plucking may represent an overlooked but widespread method for communicating current reproduction to conspecif...Continue Reading

References

Sep 3, 2004·Nature·Douglas J LeveyCarrie F Levins
May 23, 2006·American Journal of Primatology·Rebecca J Lewis
Dec 7, 2006·Biology Letters·José P Veiga, Vicente Polo

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Citations

Aug 17, 2012·Communicative & Integrative Biology·John A Endler
Sep 19, 2015·PloS One·José M FedrianiVincenzo Penteriani
Feb 15, 2017·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Vincenzo Penteriani, María Del Mar Delgado
Apr 26, 2021·Behavioural Processes·Samara DanelFrancesco Bonadonna

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