Territorial behaviour and habitat selection in an urban population of the tawny owlStrix alucoL.

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Abstract
The play‐back method and individual recognition of males were used to study the distribution, habitat and home range characteristics of a population of tawny owls, Strix alucc, in the city of Pavia (Northern Italy) from October 1986 until September 1988. The study area (2000 ha) included the city centre, residential areas and suburbs; in the first breeding season 19 territories were mapped and 22 in the following season, for a mean density of 0.9 and 1.1 Am2, respectively. The favourite habitats in the sub‐urban territories were the natural vegetation, poplar groves and rows of trees, versus monuments, avenues and old built‐up areas in the inner zones.