The survival rate of Lanyu Scops Owls Otus elegans botelensis

Few species of owls have been well studied in the wild and estimates of survival rates are available only for a few species in the temperate region. This paper reports the adult annual and monthly survival estimates of the Lanyu Scops Owl Otus elegans botelensis, a subtropical Asian species, based on a 13‐year study of a colour‐marked population. The estimated seasonal survival pattern was relatively stable, with an indication of lower survival during May‐June, the time of egg‐laying and chick‐rearing. Female survival in this species was consistently higher than male survival by an estimated 7%, which may have resulted from differential costs in reproduction. Annual survival rates during 1986‐96 showed no significant differences between years. Based on a model with constant survival and annual variation in recapture rate, average annual survival for all birds was estimated as 75%, which is higher than expected given the small body weight of the Lanyu Scops Owl. This survival and the stable monthly survival pattern are discussed in light of the mild subtropical conditions of Lanyu Island.