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Reference · Pests

True owls

The family Strigidae (True owls) is misidentified by some as agricultural pests, but in reality, they are essential predators in the agroecosystem. They do not cause damage to crops, fruits, or plants. Instead, they act as natural controllers of rodent populations, providing a significant benefit to farmers worldwide.

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Boobook Ninox Brown boobook Ninox scutulata Burrowing owl Athene cunicularia Collared scops owl Otus bakkamoena Cutworm Otus Eagle owl Bubo Eurasian Eagle-Owl Bubo bubo Eurasian pygmy owl Glaucidium Eurasian pygmy owl Glaucidium passerinum Eurasian scops owl Otus scops Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus Little owl Athene Little owl Athene noctua Little owl Athene brama Long-eared owl Asio Long-eared owl Asio otus Oriental armyworm Otus asio Short-eared owl Asio flammeus Tawny owl Strix Tawny owl Strix aluco

True owls

Systematically, they belong to the order Strigiformes. These birds are specialized nocturnal raptors known for their exceptional adaptations, such as silent flight feathers and highly developed auditory systems. These traits allow them to monitor vast agricultural lands for movement without being detected by their prey.

The biology and lifecycle of these birds are deeply connected to the availability of prey. Unlike insects or fungi that infest plants, owls rely on hunting mammals. Their presence in a field is highly dependent on the nesting opportunities provided by nearby forest strips, old trees, or structures near cultivated areas.

The ecological impact of owls is predominantly centered on the suppression of agricultural pests, including:

  • field voles
  • house mice
  • small rodents
  • other agricultural pests
By keeping rodent populations in check, these birds reduce the risk of crop destruction, root system damage, and storage losses often associated with high rodent densities.

Protection measures should focus on conservation and encouragement. Avoiding the excessive use of rodenticides is critical, as secondary poisoning poses a major threat to these avian predators. Farmers are encouraged to preserve habitats and install nesting boxes to support local owl populations as part of an effective Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy.