The Little Owl is one of the priority species for species promotion. Bird conservationists have been campaigning for the preservation of this small owl for years. While populations are steadily increasing in other countries close to the border, they remain small in Switzerland. Orchards with gnarled trees, and lots of natural cavities are important for breeding and migrating Little Owls. They find food in extensive agricultural areas with structures such as hedges and piles of branches or stones. Research findings indicate which habitats the Little Owl uses for its distribution, thereby helping to implement promotion measures in the right places.
©
© Ralf Kistowski
The Little Owl breeds in the hollows of old fruit trees, but also accepts nesting boxes.
©
© Ralf Kistowski
The prey of the Little Owl includes small mammals, which it catches in structurally rich meadows and pastures
©
© Ralf Kistowski
Nesting boxes provide a good alternative nesting site if there are too few natural nesting cavities available
©
© Ralf Kistowski
©
© Ralf Kistowski
©
© Ralf Kistowski
The Little Owl breeds in the hollows of old fruit trees, but also accepts nesting boxes.
The prey of the Little Owl includes small mammals, which it catches in structurally rich meadows and pastures
Nesting boxes provide a good alternative nesting site if there are too few natural nesting cavities available
Domain
Conservation
Unit
Species Recovery
Topics
Species Recovery, Distribution Ecology, Habitat Promotion
Habitat
farmland, semi-open farmland, meadows and pastures
Project start
2003
Project status
ongoing
Project management
Stephanie Michler Keiser
Project region
Switzerland
Employees
Ecological Research employee
Nathalie von Siebenthal
+41 41 462 97 00
nathalie.vonsiebenthal@vogelwarte.ch
Species concerned
Unit
Species Recovery
Wildlife conservation coordinates the development, improvement and dissemination of measures in favour of priority bird species that cannot be helped by habitat protection alone. Together with BirdLife Switzerland and the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), the department also coordinates the “Species Recovery for Swiss Birds” programme.
