Change in Historical Range of the Ural Owl in Europe
Quentin Goffette|Marceline Denis|Nadja Pöllath|Wim Van Neer
A carpometacarpus recovered during archaeological excavations in the town of Quaregnon is westernmost find ever reported Europe a Ural Owl (Strix uralensis), and first occurrence for Belgium. Both morphology skeletal element its measurements rule out an identification as any other Strigiformes from Western Palearctic. The provenance this specimen, that dates to medieval period (10th-12th centuries AD), discussed. It hypothesized bird was wild animal, but available evidence does not unequivocally determine whether it belonged local, breeding population went extinct or if came more distant population. However, survey zooarchaeological finds shows species occurred farther west past, outside present natural range. This suggests may have found suitable nesting biotopes Belgium northern France period.
Belgian Journal of Zoology|Lirias (KU Leuven)