Owls as Indicator Species

Owls As Indicator Species

Birds of prey are regarded as ‘Indicator’ species, giving conservationists an early warning of the health of the food chain and the wider environment if they start to decline. If owls decline, it is usually because their rough grassland hunting habitats are declining, and is a warning sign that other wildlife that depends on these habitats, such as bats, butterflies, insects, and other wildlife may be under threat.