Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) males select the highest vantage points around nests.

Abstract

In July 2007 we collected a total of 309 Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) pellets from 35 vantage points in an area where we located four Snowy Owl territories in northern Norway. The number of pellets found at each vantage point ranged from 1 to 39 (mean: 8.8, median: 6, SD + 1.8). While the four nests were situated 513, 522, 524 and 529 m asl respectively (mean 522 m, SD + 4.1), the vantage points with pellets were situated from 515 to 590 m asl (mean: 550.2 m, median: 548 m, SD + 16.3). We found the highest number of pellets at the highest vantage points. The increase of pellets with higher elevation above the nest site indicates that Snowy Owls spent more time on the highest vantage points in the territory. Although some pellets may have been cast by the females before they started incubating, the majority of pellets were most likely cast by males. We hypothesise that the presence of elevated mounds, rocks or heights around the nest site of Snowy Owls may be an important feature for the Snowy Owls when selecting the breeding territory, increasing the male´s ability to scrutinize his territory for both prey and possible threats to the nest and himself.