Lorestan University Press Journal of Animal Diversity 2676-685X 8 1 2026 03 01 State of knowledge on the Diet of the Barn owl Tyto alba (Scopoli, 1769) in Sicily, Central Mediterranean (Italy): a Review 1 8 737685 10.22034/JAD.2026.8.1.1 EN Andrea Domenico Messina Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences - Section of Animal Biology, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124 Catania, Italy 0009-0001-6505-9711 Agatino Maurizio Siracusa Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences - Section of Animal Biology, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124 Catania, Italy 0000-0003-3837-6321 Journal Article 2026 02 05 <span lang="EN-GB">This paper </span>reviews<strong> </strong><span lang="EN-GB">the current state of knowledge regarding the diet of the Barn owl, <em>Tyto alba</em> (Scopoli, 1769), in Sicily through a synthesis and comparative analysis of previous studies conducted on the island. The available evidence indicates that the Barn owl in Sicily primarily preys on small mammals, with a clear preference for <em>Microtus nebrodensis</em> (Minà-Palumbo, 1868). However, the availability of this rodent varies according to habitat and season, resulting in both seasonal and habitat-related variations </span><span lang="EN-GB">in diet and a broader trophic spectrum that includes other small mammals and </span>additional <span lang="EN-GB">taxa. This dietary flexibility highlights the opportunistic </span>feeding strategy of the <span lang="EN-GB">species</span> and its ability to <span lang="EN-GB">adapt to the environmental heterogeneity of the Sicilian </span>landscape<span lang="EN-GB">. The review also emphasizes the need for </span>further <span lang="EN-GB">investigations </span>to update the current <span lang="EN-GB">knowledge and address the remaining gaps, particularly in areas of the island that remain poorly studied.</span> https://jad.lu.ac.ir/article_737685_22f4d8d500858895b0e528a4edd2ba6a.pdf