Allopreening in Owls: What Are Its Functions?

Forsman, Eric; Wight, Howard

Allopreening occurs in at least 10 owl species, but its functions are poorly understood. Observations on the Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis) in western Oregon between 1970 and 1978 indicated that allopreening was common between paired individuals during spring and summer (the breeding season) but was uncommon between sibling owlets or between adults and their young. A captive Spotted Owl that was imprinted on the senior author frequently solicited or initiated allopreening during spring and summer, directing such activity toward the senior author. Although Harrison (1965) proposed that the principal function of allopreening was to reduce or redirect agonistic tendencies, the relationship between aggression and allopreening in owls is not clear; outwardly, it looks like a peaceful interaction without aggressive overtones. A possible explanation for the lack of aggressive overtones associated with allopreening in owls is that selection has resulted in a display that is so ritualized that it no longer resembles the aggressive behavior from which it evolved. We do not believe allopreening is important as a means of sexual or individual recognition in owls, as was suggested by Fitzpatrick (1975) and Harrison (1965). Received 12 October 1977, accepted 2 March 1979.

Allopreening in Owls: What Are Its Functions?

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