Territoriality and habitat selection of female snowy owls (Nyctea scandiaca) in winter

Abstract

Territoriality of snowy owls (Nyctea scandiaca) was investigated near Calgary, Alberta, in the winters of 1976–1977 and 1977–1978. Males appeared to be nomadic, although some individuals remained in small areas for periods of up to 17 days. Many females defended territories of 150–450 ha for periods of up to 80 days. Territories of females contained some habitats in excess of their proportion on the study area. This represents selection of habitats with high prey availability. Owls spent more time in such habitats than in resource-poor habitats within their territories. Territory size was inversely related to the proportion of stubble field and the amount of "edge" habitat bordering stubble fields, on the territories. These findings are consistent with an earlier hypothesis that the size of feeding territories is regulated to provide the territory holder with a constant level of food. Juvenile females defended larger territories than did adult females, with higher proportions of nonpreferred habitats. We suggest that these differences result from the inexperience of juveniles in selecting and defending optimal winter territories.