Journal of Animal Diversity

Journal of Animal Diversity

State of knowledge on the Diet of the Barn owl Tyto alba (Scopoli, 1769) in Sicily, Central Mediterranean (Italy): a Review

Document Type : Review Article

Authors
Andrea Domenico Messina
Agatino Maurizio Siracusa
Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences - Section of Animal Biology, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124 Catania, Italy
10.22034/JAD.2026.8.1.1
Abstract
This paper reviews the current state of knowledge regarding the diet of the Barn owl, Tyto alba (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 Microtus nebrodensis (Minà-Palumbo, 1868). However, the availability of this rodent varies according to habitat and season, resulting in both seasonal and habitat-related variations in diet and a broader trophic spectrum that includes other small mammals and additional taxa. This dietary flexibility highlights the opportunistic feeding strategy of the species and its ability to adapt to the environmental heterogeneity of the Sicilian landscape. The review also emphasizes the need for further investigations to update the current knowledge and address the remaining gaps, particularly in areas of the island that remain poorly studied.
Keywords
Barn owl
diet
Microtus nebrodensis
seasonal and environmental variation in diet
Sicily
small mammals
Tyto alba
Subjects
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