Long-eared owl

The genus Asio, which includes the long-eared owl (Asio otus), belongs to the order Strigiformes and the family Strigidae. While globally recognized as beneficial predators of rodents in field crops, in specific high-value agricultural systems, their presence can interfere with production processes and infrastructure.

The biology of the species centers on crepuscular and nocturnal hunting patterns. They prefer nesting in sheltered, dense vegetation and demonstrate strong territorial behavior during the breeding season. Their reliance on small mammals makes them essential for natural pest control in large-scale cereal farming, though their hunting grounds may encompass diverse agricultural landscapes.

In intensive fruit production and nurseries, damage is primarily mechanical. Owls frequently utilize young fruit trees, vine trellises, and netting structures as lookout points. This activity leads to the breakage of tender leaders and lateral branches, as well as the contamination of fruit surfaces by fecal matter, significantly reducing the market value of the produce.

The economic harm is often indirect, occurring in high-density orchards where the birds congregate. While they do not consume plant tissues, the repeated physical pressure of heavy birds landing on sensitive plant parts, combined with potential damage to protective covers, necessitates management to ensure crop integrity during critical growth stages.

Protection strategies focus on non-lethal deterrent methods to manage bird activity in commercial zones. Recommended agricultural practices include:

• Implementing automated sound-based repelling systems that mimic natural threats.
• Strategic pruning of orchard trees to minimize suitable perching sites.
• Installation of bird-deterrent wires or reflective tapes to discourage landing.
• Creating alternative habitat areas at the field borders to redirect owl activity away from sensitive crop zones.