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Barn Owl ( Tyto alba ) breeding biology in relation to breeding season climate

Chausson, Alexandre ; Henry, Isabelle ; Almasi, Bettina ; Roulin, Alexandre

In: Journal of Ornithology, 2014, vol. 155, no. 1, p. 273-281

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    Titre
    • Barn Owl ( Tyto alba ) breeding biology in relation to breeding season climate
    Auteur
    • Chausson, Alexandre. Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Building Biophore, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
    • Henry, Isabelle. Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Building Biophore, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
    • Almasi, Bettina. Swiss Ornithological Institute, 6204, Sempach, Switzerland
    • Roulin, Alexandre. Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Building Biophore, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
    Type de document
    • Postprint
    Langue
    • Anglais
    Publié dans
    • Journal of Ornithology, 2014, vol. 155, no. 1, p. 273-281. Springer Berlin Heidelberg
    Autre version électronique
    Identifiant OAI-PMH
    • oai:doc.rero.ch:324770
    Summary
    Winter weather has a strong influence on Barn Owl (Tyto alba) breeding biology. Here, we analyzed the impacts of weather conditions on reproductive performance during the breeding season using data collected over 22years in a Swiss Barn Owl population. Variations in rain and temperature during the breeding season played an important role in within-year variation in Barn Owl reproduction. An increase in rainfall during the period from 4 to 2weeks preceding egg laying had a positive effect on clutch size. In contrast, fledgling body mass was negatively influenced by rainfall during the 24h preceding the measurements. Finally, ambient temperature during the rearing period was positively associated with brood size at fledging. In conclusion, weather conditions during the breeding season place constraints on Barn Owl reproduction.