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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 110(2)

Insights into the breeding behaviour and dispersal of the Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua) through the collection of shed feathers

Fiona E. Hogan A B C and Raylene Cooke A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Melbourne Campus, Burwood, Vic. 3125, Australia.

B Present address: School of Applied Sciences and Engineering, Monash University, Gippsland Campus, Churchill, Vic. 3842, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: fiona.hogan@monash.edu

Emu 110(2) 178-184 https://doi.org/10.1071/MU09116
Submitted: 23 December 2009  Accepted: 19 March 2010   Published: 26 May 2010

Abstract

The Powerful Owl is an elusive species inhabiting the forests of mainland eastern Australia. Obtaining crucial information on aspects of their breeding behaviour and dispersal has proven extremely difficult, even though other aspects of their ecology are well studied. Here we use molecular methods to investigate the breeding behaviour and dispersal of the Powerful Owl in two different habitats: highly fragmented forest along the urban fringe and continuous forest. DNA profiles of Powerful Owls were obtained predominately from shed feathers collected opportunistically between 1995 and 2006. Seven breeding pairs of Powerful Owls were identified, from which shed feathers were collected during 2003, 2004 and 2005. By comparing DNA profiles, one pair of Owls was found to have occupied the same breeding site for 10 years (1995–2005). The dispersal or movements of five offspring from this pair was also determined to be either of two scenarios: (1) the juvenile moves from the natal territory; however, isn’t breeding; and (2) the juvenile is recovered as part of a breeding pair. Two pairs of Owls breeding in the urban fringe habitat were closely related, but no incidences of extra-pair fertilisation were detected among pairs in either habitat. This study provides new information about the breeding behaviour and dispersal of the Powerful Owl, and shows the potential of using genetic data sourced from shed feathers for studying cryptic, rare or elusive species.

Additional keywords: juvenile dispersal, mate-fidelity, microsatellite, non-invasive sampling, urbanisation.


Acknowledgements

We thank Janette Norman for her input into this study and manuscript. John White and Mike Weston are also thanked for their comments on the manuscript. Rohan Bilney is thanked for collecting feathers from East Gippsland. Parks Victoria, the Department of Sustainability and Environment (Vic.) and Healesville Sanctuary are thanked for their continuous support towards Owl research. This research would not have been possible without the funding granted by the Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment, Birds Australia and the Parks Victoria Research Partner Scheme. Sample collection was carried out under research permits 10003191 and 10002204.


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