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Abstract
Passive acoustics may offer advantages over traditional survey methods for estimating population trends of cryptic species that are difficult to monitor. To assess the utility of acoustic spatial capture-recapture methods (SCR) for estimating population density of owl species, we conducted passive acoustic surveys for Barred Owls, Great Horned Owls, and Eastern Screech-Owls in a protected park within a rapidly urbanizing area of Georgia. Acoustic SCR provided reliable estimates of Great Horned Owl density consistent with previous studies in other parts of the species’ range. Great Horned Owl density was modelled as a function of multiscale landscape and anthropogenic variables, including noise and light pollution. Forest cover, edge density, and anthropogenic noise at the local scale were the most important predictors of owl density in the study area. Our findings indicate the efficacy of acoustic SCR for owl population monitoring and provide important management implications for those within highly urbanized areas.