Regime alimentaire du Grand-Duc du désert, Bubo ascalaphus, dans la réserve naturelle de Mergueb (M'Sila, Algérie)

The diet of Bubo ascalaphus was studied in a steppe at the Mergueb nature reserve. The analysis of 141 pellets indicated that mammals were most abundant (89 %). The most frequent prey, on a numerical basis (82 %) as well as in term of biomass (96 %) was Meriones shawi trouessarti (Gerbillidae). Other preys included Jaculus orientalis (Dipodidae), and two insectivores: Crocidura russula and Hemiechinus aethiopicus. Among the avifauna, only the Spanish sparrow (Passer hispaniolensis) was a significant part of the Eagle owl dietn especially in spring. Arthropods were represented by Scarabeidae in spring and Scorpionidae in summer but they played a minor role in the food of the Eagle owl. The originality of this diet lies in the absence of Brown hare (Lepus capensis) and the presence of only one specimen of the desert hedgehog. Although its food spectrum was very narrow in this site, the Eagle owl can be regarded as opportunistic as it concentrated on the most available prey: Meriones shawi.