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Life on the Edge: the Eastern Screech-Owl in Winnipeg

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Life on the Edge: the Eastern Screech-Owl in Winnipeg Life on the Edge: The Eastern screech-owl in winnipeg by Chdstian Artuso A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies of The University of Manitoba in partial fulfilmenf of the requirerrents of the degee of Doctor of Philosophy Departrrrnt of Environment and Geography University of Manitoba Winnþeg copyright @ 2w by christian Arhso THE UNIVERSITY OF' MANITOBA FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES ,! rl *,r * COPYRIGHT PERMISSION Life on the Edge: The Eastern Screech_Owl in Winnipeg BY Christian Artuso A ThesisÆracticum submitted to the F'acurty of Graduate studies of The university of Manitoba in partial fulfirment of the requirement of the degree of Doctor of philosophy Christian Artuso @ 2009 Permission has been granted to the university rhesis/pracricum,ro of Manitob¿ I.ibraries urrary anå to rend a copy of this thesis/pracricum, all¡y., c"""äîoAc) and ro ;-"î, ruqlæ*a;;) ro lend a copy of rhis publishHt; microfirm, se, copies an absrract of this ,iÀirlp"u.ticum." and ro This reproduction or copy of this copyright thesis has been made available owner sorery f9; th"pu"p*e by authorify of the reproduced of privat" rrr;;;od research, and copied ur p""-üt.d;;^;;;;,;;;í"*, uoJ_uy only be authorization or wirh express wrirúen from rh, .ånñËü owner. ABSTRACT cavity-nesting birds may be sensitive to urbanization due to changes in the availability of breedingresources. Nonetheless, the EasternScreech-owlhas higherproductivityand survival in suburbs than rural areas in the southern portion of its range (Texas). Densities and life-history haits of birds nray differ in range peripheral areas, rendering generalization aborf the effect of urbanization difficult. I examined the population density, reproductioq habitat selectioq and diet of Eastern Screech-owls in Manitoba to test whether the patterns observed in Texas held at the northernperþhery of the range, and whether such patterns would be npre or less pronounced. I conducted a random- sftatified survey across a rural to urban gradient and monitored nests in natural cavities and nest boxes' I collected data on diet and measwed variables related to the cavity tree and at the habitat level at nests and unused cavities. Eastern Screech-owl dersity was positively correlated with human density, peaking in medium to high-density suburbs. Screech-owls preferred rþarian habitat brt densities and breeding in residential areas versus greenspace did not differ. Brood sizes peaked in suburban areas' where fledging averaged five days in advance of rt¡ral areas. owls selected habitat where canopy cover was relatively high, and with sufficient potential nest-sites close to some coniferous ffees. They selected nest sites in taller ftees, closer to water and with lower slÏub density below the nest than unused cavities. They avoided potential nest sites with npre buildings and higher domestic cat activity. Screech-owls had a more diverse diet with nrore vertebrate prey in low-derxity suburban areas as opposed to rtnal and high-dersity suburban areas. The rrpchanisms behind this pattern lt appear to be the urban heat island, redrrced predation, greater diversity of prey, and favorable habitat alteration including planted conifers and buildings for roosting and Írore open vegetation The percentage of rufor,rs morph screech-owls in Manitoba has fallen from 6- lIVo nthe 1920s to <I7o today, whereas no decline has occurred in Miruresota or North Dakota. I argue that, based on differences in swvival rates between color nnrplu in exteme cold, this is evidence of a northward range expansion facilitated by the anthropogenic influences noted above. The differences in density, reproductivity, and breeding phenology between suburban and ruralareas, as well as the nechanisms involved, are similar to those found in Texas, suggesting that" at least in this case, the influence of urbannation is not strongly mitigated by latitude. lll ACKNO\ryLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank my funding sources: The University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowshþ, The Special Conservation Fund of Manitoba Conservatior¡ Manitoba Hydro, The Winnipeg Foundation, and the Great Gray Owl Fund administered by R. W. Nero, as well as a kind donationby Pat Cooper. I wish to thark the members of my committee, Merlin w. Shoesmith Richard K. Baydack, James R. Duncar¡ Nicola Koper for their sìryport and guidance tluoughor.ú the degee process. I also thank other faculty rnembers of the University of Manitoba whose instruction and assistarrce have been invaluable to me including Stéphane Mcl-achlaq Spenser G. Sealy, David Walker, and James F. Hare. These chapteri were greatly improved by the thoughtful comments of Richard K. Baydack, Robert P. Berger, Brigitte De March, I¿ny De March Janes R. Duncan, John M. Eadie, Frederick R. GehhacL C. stuart Houston, Karla Kinstler, Nbola Koper, Erkki Korpim?iki Robert w. Nero, Spenser G. Sealy, Peter Taylor, Merlin W. Shoesmith, and various anonyrrlous reviewers. I thank Brigitte De March Nbola Koper, and DaviC Walker for their heip with the various statistical applicatiors u,sed. I thank Robert P. Berger, Jarres R. Duncar¡ Teny Galloway, Randy Mòoi, Justin Rasmusser¡ Rob Roughty, ãnd speruer G. sealy for assistance in identifying prey remains. I am grateful to Dale Marciski the Outreach Officer at the Meteorological Service of Environment Canada, for his assistance in gathering c limate data. The following people sr¡bmitted observations of Eastern Screech-Owl and Great Horned Owl in Manitoba, particþated by listening for owls in their area, conftibrfed sight records for the historical database (even indirectly, e.g. by taking birds found injured to rehabilitation), heþed collecting pellets, helped to monitor roost sites, gave nre permission to enter their property, or otherwise assisted ne in various aspects of fieldwork or preparing rnanuscripts. I thank themall immensely: Linda Anderson" Nancy Andersor¡ læslie Andrews, Nadine Andrusiak, Terry Angus, Alfred Aug, Ron Arstiru Melissa Baer, Ken Baker, David Barnes, Pat Bar¡res, Mary Barrett, Derek Bartray, Nathalie Bays, Barny Beaulier¡ Krnt Beltor¡ [æane Beltor¡ Gloria Benhenl Keith Bersor¡ KeithBensoq Ballie Berger, Herry Berger, RonBerglund, Jim Bertwhistle, Patty Best, Brad Bird, Marcia Blair, Muray Blair, Luc Blanchette, Frank Boilear¡ Jim Boult, Chris Boumford, DaviC Bowles, Erl Braater¡ Jarres Bradley, Joy Bradley, Louise Brisebois, Jack Brown, Paul Buchanan, Bill Buhler, GaryBudyck, GregBuzza, ri- Byers, Alisoncanpbell, Kevincampbell, Brad carey, Læslie carignan, Brendan Camrthers, Silvio E. Cascino, Michelle Caughy, David Chevalier, DanCluanowski, phil Christiarso4 Ward Clristiansor¡ Dave Christie, John Christie, Jamie Chuback, Ed chudrick, Redmond Clarke, steve clubb, Michael cobus, colinCornad, Kyle conrad, Michael cornad, Pat cooper, Andy courcelles, [æa craig, Jack crolly, John cunningham, charles curtis, cal cuthbert Edgar Dandridge, Steve Davidge, Rob de Graaf, Brigitte De March, t-any de Marctr, chris De Ruyck, Ben DeBeer, Angel Delorme, Steve Demmings, KenDe smet, Paul Desrosiers, Nick Devine, wilbewit, Jeddich Doerksen, Cindy Dowse, Ronald Dueck, James R. Duncan, patsy Duncan, Alvin Dyck, Bill Eaton, Estelle Eaton, Kyle Elliott, Richard Ellis, Adolf Ens, Iiristen Eriksor¡ iv Dennis Fast, DebiForlanski, MargaretFrederikso4 PaulFrieser¡ MaureenFrolick, Barbara fuller, Vern Gaddows, Ian Gagnor¡ Wendy Garson" Corinna Gascho, Margaret Gibson, Randy Giesbrech Doreen Gbsbrecht, Mary Giesbrecht, Marlene Gifford, Mfte Gigiaa Ed Gilroy Micheline Girard, Miles Goolie, Paul Goossen, Gordon Grieef, Jaye Grieef, Paula Grieef, Susan Grieef, Jim Gyselinck, Keith Hamblin, Cary Harrel, Derrick Hanpton, I¿vin Hanke, Hao He, Bob Hart, David Hatch Jerry Hayes, iohnHays, CarolynHerrxandez, Ruth Hiebert, Jeff Higdon, Chris Higgs, tæane Hill, Heather Hinant Frank Hinings, Debbie Hobbs, Janice Hobbs, George Holland, Jean Hortoq Ray lversorL Jang Byoung-Soon, Liesel Janssor¡ Reinhard Janssón, Maricia Johrnon, paul Jones, Bernice Kennedy, Janet Kennedy, Fawad Khan, Mark King Sally King Todd King, Janis Klapecki, l-orne Klasser¡ Rudolf Koes, Hilton Kotyk, Brenäa Krõeker, Roy Laham, Linda r-ahzm, Heather I¿ild, Bill t apuck, Georgina Larsoq Raynnnd l¿rsorl Betty I¿vender, Anne tayma+ læw Layrnarq Kathleen læathers, yun-Kyoung Iæe, Gladys rngal Nick læone, sid læverick, Michael Iæwyc, pat Iæwyc, Li chunxiao, cory Lindgre4 Alain l-ouer, DeanMacDonald, Frank Machovec, Irene Magnesor¡ Nia Massey, Brenda Maxwell, christian McBride, Les Mccanr¡ Hope MJGaha, stephane Mcl-achlan, Ted Mcl¿chlan, Ardylle McMaster, DanMcMaster, GlenMcMaster, Laura McMaster, DeanMedeiros, Sarah Medill, Norm Melnychuk, GwenMewendorss, Al Mickey, Don Middletor¡ Kim Middleton, Corey Millar, Lucille Miller, Marthat Moffat, R. Moodie, Fred Mooi, Randy Mooi Janet Moore,LuMorash lan Morrow, John Murray, 'wayne Joan Murray, Shirley Murray, Gwen Mwenendorf, p. Neilly, John Neils, Robert w. Nero, Darrel Neufeld, Hany Neufeld, t ori Nichols, Robb Nichoí1, Kevin Nixon, Bruce Norvey, George Nykureik, Gerry oliver, cheryl orr, phil ould, Rachel parsons, Pantear¡ Brian Parkers, Robert Terry pastrick, Freðpawlyszyq Monica Pazernitlk, Linda Pearr¡ Carole Penner, Jake. E. Peters, Jennifer páloct, Barry pomeroy, Ryan Porteous, Angelé Pradaehi, procner, prouse, s usan Gordon Mike e uigley, Justin Rasmusser¡ Jacklyn Regeþ Don Reimer, Mary Reimer, Elvira Roberge-, aïúer Robinson, Robert RobirÌsoq Rong Rong Sheni Routly, Alex Sardersor¡ Chris Sands, Linda Sands' Linda Scarrow, Wayne Scarrow, Allan Scarth, Al Schirtt, Dorothy
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