Characterizing juvenile dispersal dynamics of invasive barred owls: implications for management

Characterizing natal dispersal can help manage the spread of invasive species expanding their ranges in response to land use and climate change. The Barred Owl (Strix varia) is a prominent example of an apex predator undergoing a rapid range expansion, having spread from eastern to western North America where it is now hyperabundant—threatening the Northern Spotted Owl (S. occidentalis caurina) with extinction and potentially endangering many other native species. We attached satellite tags to 31 Barred Owl juveniles at the southern leading edge of the Barred Owl’s expanding range in California to characterize natal dispersal patterns and inform management. Juveniles traveled up to 100km from natal territories and experienced high mortality (annual survival = 0.204). At landscape scales, juveniles preferentially used forests, shrublands, and lower elevations during dispersal and avoided grasslands and burned areas. At finer scales, juveniles preferred shorter (younger) forests, lower el..., , , # Characterizing juvenile dispersal dynamics of invasive barred owls: implications for management

* Persistent Identifier: (DOI)
* Creators: Whitney A. Watson and H. Anu Kramer
* Suggested Citations:
* Dataset citation: > Watson, Whitney and H. Anu Kramer (2023), Characterizing juvenile dispersal dynamics of invasive barred owls: implications for management, Dryad, Dataset, (DOI)
* Corresponding publication: > Watson, W. A., D. F. Hofstadter, G. M. Jones,c, H. A. Kramer, N. F. Kryshak, C. J. Zulla, S. A. Whitmore, V. O'Rourke, J. J. Keanee, R. J. Gutiérrez, and M. Z. Peery (2023). Characterizing juvenile dispersal dynamics of invasive barred owls: implications for management. Ornithological Applications. Accepted. (DOI)

### Contact Information

* Name: Whitney A. Watson
* Affiliations: Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Ecology, New Mexico State University; Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin - Madison
* ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0009...