Relationship between landscape structure and the diet of Common Barn-owl <i>(Tyto alba)</i> at different distances from the Drava River ecological corridor

Abstract This study investigated the relationship between landscape structure at different distances from Drava River in South Hungary and food composition of Common Barn-owl. Pellets were collected 15 villages 2006 2008. Based on CORINE land cover elements, five use types determined, metrics calculated to compare three distance zones. There significant differences Shannon Simpson diversity small mammal assemblages areas. A positive was detected categories abundance distribution Striped Field Mouse Vole. The relative diet Barn-owl influenced by increase mean perimeter/area ratio contiguity index. value trophic level index negatively decrease crop patches pasture grassland areas, which facilitate insectivores. Our results suggest that characteristics influence prey occurrence hunting areas frequency-dependent availability prey, determines resource utilization