Information on the diet of the American marten (Martes americana) is vital
to understanding habitat requirements of populations of this species. The f
requency of occurrence of prey items found in 1014 seat samples associated
with 31 radiocollared American martens in northeastern Oregon included: 62.
7% vole-sized prey, 28.2% squirrel-sized prey, 22.4% insects, 19.5% birds,
13.3% plant material, and 2.4% lagomorphs. A significantly higher proportio
n of voles (Microtus spp.), southern red-backed voles (Clethrionomys gapper
i), and chipmunks (Tamias spp.) were found in the summer diet compared with
the winter, and a higher proportion of northern flying squirrels (Glaucomy
s sabrinus), unidentified squirrels, bushy-tailed woodrats (Neotoma cinerea
), and mountain cottontails (Sylvilagus nuttallii) were found in the winter
diet compared with summer. Insects and plant remains represented a higher
proportion of the diet in summer than winter. Females preyed on a higher pr
oportion of shrews (Sorex spp.) and chipmunks, while males preyed on a high
er proportion of southern red-backed voles.