RESPONSIVENESS OF CACTUS FERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWLS TO BROADCASTED CONSPECIFIC CALLS

We compared elicited versus non-elicited (stop-and-listen) call-counts to detect presence of cactus ferruginous pygmy-owls (Glaucidium brasi lianum cactorum) in south Texas during spring-fall 1994. We sampled 49 sites during the courtship-nesting season (5 Mar-9 Jun) and an additi onal 17 sites postfledging (19 Jun-16 Nov). Sixty-four individuals at 43 sites responded to elicitation; 17 individuals al 12 sites were rec orded calling spontaneously. Response to broadcast calls was significa ntly greater (P = 0.00005) than spontaneous calling. Our results valid ate the use of broadcasted conspecific calls in surveying ferruginous pygmy-owls in south Texas.