Diet composition of Barn Owl (Tyto alba) and Spotted Owlet (Athene brama) in an agricultural landscape of Central Assam, India

This study examined the food habits of coexisting Barn Owls (Tyto alba) and Spotted Owlets (Athene brama) from January 2021 to January 2022 in two agricultural landscapes in Nagaon district, Assam, India. Pellet analysis at two sites, Nonoi and Puranigudam, revealed that Barn Owls primarily preyed on small mammals, such as Asian House Shrew (Suncus murinus) (42.05%) and Black Rat (Rattus rattus) (9.88%), with some avian species like Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) and Oriental Magpie-robin (Copsychus saularis). In contrast, Spotted Owlets predominantly consumed insects (Coleoptera, 50.47%) and small mammals (House Mouse Mus musculus, 16.19%). The dietary niche breadth was wider for Barn Owls (4.9) compared to Spotted Owlets (3.3). Both species contribute significantly to pest management in agricultural ecosystems, emphasizing their role as natural biocontrol agents.