Question
How do owls reproduce?
Answer
Owls reproduce through sexual reproduction, typically involving monogamous pairings that may last for several years. The timing and success of owl reproduction are influenced by various environmental and intrinsic factors.
Reproductive strategies include:
Monogamy and pairing: Owls are generally monogamous, with pairs often staying together for multiple breeding seasons. However, variations exist among species (Adejumo, 2019).
Breeding timing: Breeding often coincides with periods of high food availability, which is crucial for raising young. This timing can vary by species and region (Adejumo, 2019; Hoy et al., 2016).
Influencing factors include:
Environmental conditions: Food availability is a significant determinant of reproductive success. Owls tend to breed when prey is abundant, which supports the upbringing of chicks (Adejumo, 2019; Hoy et al., 2016). Predation risk and weather conditions also play roles in shaping reproductive decisions (Hoy et al., 2016; Glenn et al., 2011).
Intrinsic factors: Individual quality, such as age and previous reproductive success, can influence breeding propensity and success. Older owls or those with previous successful breeding attempts are more likely to breed again (Hoy et al., 2016).
Reproductive success and challenges include:
Sex-specific roles: Males and females have distinct roles in reproduction. Males often face trade-offs between caring for offspring and maintaining their own condition, while females benefit from early breeding and high food availability (Bühler et al., 2024).
Double brooding: Some species, like the barn owl, may produce two broods in a single season, although this is condition-dependent and can affect offspring quality (Béziers and Roulin, 2016).
Hormonal and genetic aspects include:
Hormonal regulation: Reproductive activity in owls is regulated by steroid hormones, which respond to environmental cues. Testosterone levels in males, for example, fluctuate seasonally and are linked to reproductive activity (Barbosa-Moyano et al., 2024).
Owl reproduction is a complex process influenced by both environmental conditions and intrinsic factors. Successful reproduction often depends on food availability and favorable environmental conditions, while individual quality and hormonal regulation also play crucial roles. Monogamous pairings and strategic timing of breeding are common strategies to maximize reproductive success.
References
- Bühler, R., Riecke, T., Schalcher, K., Roulin, A., & Almasi, B., 2024. Individual quality and environmental factors interact to shape reproduction and survival in a resident bird of prey. Royal Society Open Science, 11. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.231934
- Adejumo, I., 2019. Strategies of Owl Reproduction. Owls. https://doi.org/10.5772/INTECHOPEN.82425bar
- Hoy, S., Millon, A., Petty, S., Whitfield, D., & Lambin, X., 2016. Food availability and predation risk, rather than intrinsic attributes, are the main factors shaping the reproductive decisions of a long-lived predator.. The Journal of animal ecology, 85 4, pp. 892-902. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.12517
- Barbosa-Moyano, H., Goissis, M., Hamilton, T., Zacariotti, R., Silveira, L., & De Oliveira Alvarenga, C., 2024. Seasonal reproduction of Megascops choliba males in Southeastern Brazil (Aves, Strigidae): an endocrine and molecular study. Theriogenology Wild. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.therwi.2024.100077
- Glenn, E., Anthony, R., Forsman, E., & Olson, G., 2011. Reproduction of Northern Spotted Owls: The Role of Local Weather and Regional Climate. **, 75, pp. 1279 – 1294. https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.177
- Béziers, P., & Roulin, A., 2016. Double brooding and offspring desertion in the barn owl (Tyto alba). Journal of Avian Biology, 47, pp. 235-244. https://doi.org/10.1111/JAV.00800
- Millon, A., Petty, S., & Lambin, X., 2010. Pulsed resources affect the timing of first breeding and lifetime reproductive success of tawny owls.. The Journal of animal ecology, 79 2, pp. 426-35 . https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2656.2009.01637.x.
- Wasser, S., & Hunt, K., 2005. Noninvasive Measures of Reproductive Function and Disturbance in the Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, and Northern Spotted Owl. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1046. https://doi.org/10.1196/annals.1343.010.
- Tschumi, M., Humbel, J., Erbes, J., Fattebert, J., Fischer, J., Fritz, G., Geiger, B., Van Harxen, R., Hoos, B., Hurst, J., Jacobsen, L., Keil, H., Kneule, W., Michel, V., Michels, H., Möbius, L., Perrig, M., Rößler, P., Schneider, D., Schuch, S., Stroeken, P., Naef-Daenzer, B., & Grüebler, M., 2019. Parental sex allocation and sex-specific survival drive offspring sex ratio bias in little owls. Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology, 73, pp. 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-019-2694-8.
- Foster, C., 1992. Survival and reproduction of radio-marked adult spotted owls. Journal of Wildlife Management, 56, pp. 91-95. https://doi.org/10.2307/3808795.
