{"title":"Journal of Raptor Research Information for Contributors","authors":"C. Dykstra","doi":"10.3356/0892-1016-56.4.508","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3356/0892-1016-56.4.508","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16927,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Raptor Research","volume":"38 1","pages":"508 - 511"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2022-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84903307","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Do Wintering American Kestrels Sleep Where They Eat?","authors":"Carter G. Crouch","doi":"10.3356/jrr-21-84","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3356/jrr-21-84","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 American Kestrels (Falco sparverius) show territoriality on both the breeding grounds and wintering grounds. Kestrels also utilize a variety of different structures for roosting on their winter territories. In previous work, Mills hypothesized that the availability of a roost is an important territorial requirement for wintering kestrels (Mills 1975, Wilson Bulletin 87:241–247). Here I present spatial data for roost site use in relation to diurnal foraging territories for 20 color-marked wintering kestrels in South Texas agricultural areas. The average diurnal territory size for these 20 kestrels was 522.9 ± 60.3 m (maximum linear distance among all observations). I observed 14 of 20 kestrels roosted ≤142 m from their territory, but 6 of 20 kestrels roosted ≥275 m from their territory. Three of the 6 kestrels traveled at least 1000 m from the nearest recorded diurnal location. Although the availability of a roost does appear to be an important territorial requirement for kestrels, my results suggest that roost sites are not always within or adjacent to the diurnal territories. Having the ability to roost away from the diurnal territories likely allows kestrels to utilize foraging habitat that is devoid of suitable roosts, but kestrels also may experience a fitness tradeoff between traveling away from the diurnal territory to roost and staying on the diurnal territory in a less-safe roost site.","PeriodicalId":16927,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Raptor Research","volume":"38 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2022-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81677195","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
C. D. Hayes, M. Curti, Gabriela Diaz, D. L. Anderson, T. I. Hayes
{"title":"Typical Polygyny and Cooperative Polygyny in Ridgway's Hawk (Buteo ridgwayi)","authors":"C. D. Hayes, M. Curti, Gabriela Diaz, D. L. Anderson, T. I. Hayes","doi":"10.3356/JRR-21-71","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3356/JRR-21-71","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Avian mating systems are often monogamous, although polygamy in the form of both polyandry and polygyny are regularly employed by some species and opportunistically practiced by others. Among raptors, multiple species within the genus Buteo have been documented using either polyandrous or polygynous strategies. Here, we describe the first known cases of polygyny in Ridgway's Hawk (B. ridgwayi), a small forest hawk endemic to the island of Hispaniola. This raptor has been studied since the mid-1970s, and intensively during the last 20 yr. Ridgway's Hawks are generally considered to be monogamous; however, we report here observations of polygynous behavior in a recently established, wild population. We consider these polygynous breeding events opportunistic responses that display behavioral flexibility that may serve to benefit the conservation of this critically endangered raptor. Resumen. Los sistemas de apareamiento de las aves son a menudo monógamos, aunque la poligamia en forma de poliandria y poliginia es empleada regularmente por algunas especies y practicada de manera oportunista por otras. Entre las rapaces, se han documentado múltiples especies dentro del género Buteo que utilizan estrategias poliándricas o poligínicas. Aquí describimos los primeros casos conocidos de poligamia en B. ridgwayi, un pequeño gavilán de bosque, endémico de la isla La Española. Esta rapaz ha sido estudiada desde mediados de la década de 1970 y, de manera intensiva, durante los últimos 20 años. Esta especie es generalmente considerada monógama; sin embargo, aquí mostramos observaciones de comportamiento poligínico en una población silvestre recientemente establecida. Consideramos que los eventos de reproducción poligínica que documentamos son respuestas oportunistas que muestran una flexibilidad de comportamiento que puede servir para beneficiar la conservación de esta rapaz en peligro crítico de extinción. [Traducción de los autores editada]","PeriodicalId":16927,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Raptor Research","volume":"56 1","pages":"423 - 429"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2022-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88005550","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Home Range and Use Area Sizes of Territorial Golden Eagles Tracked with Tail-Mounted Satellite Transmitters","authors":"A. Harmata","doi":"10.3356/JRR-21-26","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3356/JRR-21-26","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Recent use of satellite-tracked platform transmitter terminals (PTTs) has increased knowledge of movements of Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) and virtually all have been attached via backpack harnesses. To avoid reported negative effects of backpack harnesses on eagle behavior, survival, or reproduction, ten resident, territorial adult Golden Eagles were tagged with one of two PTT configurations mounted dorsally or ventrally on two center rectrices. Eagles retained PTTs a mean of 5.2 mo. Three male eagles forcibly removed tail-mounted PTTs prior to molt. Tracked eagles accrued a mean of 498 (SE = 93.9) fixes over a mean 160 d (SE = 21.8). Kernel density estimates of 95% area (home range) and 50% area (core use) were 123.8 (SE = 62.9) km2 and 7.9 (SE = 4.1) km2, respectively. Area comparisons with similar cohorts of Golden Eagles with PTTs attached by backpack harnesses showed Montana, USA eagles ranged as extensively as those in other ecoregions but concentrated activity in smaller areas. Attaching smaller, lighter-weight PTTs to the right central rectrix of non-juvenile eagles during periods other than late summer/early fall will likely improve retention time over this study, especially for males. Tail-mounted PTTs performed equally well as PTTs attached via backpack harnesses. When study objectives or resources limit data needs to <3 yr, tail mounts are encouraged. Resumen. El uso reciente de emisores satelitales (PTT) ha aumentado el conocimiento de los movimientos de Aquila chrysaetos y prácticamente todos los transmisores se han sujetado mediante arneses torácicos. Para evitar los efectos negativos reportados de los arneses torácicos en el comportamiento, la supervivencia o la reproducción de las águilas, se marcaron diez individuos adultos territoriales residentes con una de dos configuraciones de PTT montados dorsal o ventralmente en dos rectrices centrales. Las águilas retuvieron los PTT una media de 5,2 meses. Tres águilas macho se quitaron por la fuerza los PTT montados en la cola antes de la muda. Las águilas seguidas acumularon una media de 498 (EE = 93,9) posiciones durante una media de 160 días (EE = 21,8). Las estimaciones de densidad de kernel del 95% del área (área de campeo) y del 50% del área núcleo de uso fueron 123,8 km2 (EE = 62,9) y 7,9 km2 (EE = 4,1), respectivamente. Las comparaciones de área con cohortes similares de A. chrysaetos con PTTs sujetos por arneses torácicos mostraron que las águilas de Montana, EEUU presentaron áreas de campeo tan extensas como las de otras ecorregiones, pero concentraron la actividad en áreas más pequeñas. Colocar PTTs más pequeños y livianos en la rectriz central derecha de águilas no juveniles durante períodos distintos a los de finales de verano o principios de otoño probablemente mejorará el tiempo de retención durante este estudio, especialmente para los machos. Los PTTs montados en la cola funcionaron igual de bien que los PTT sujetos mediante arneses torácicos. Cuando los ","PeriodicalId":16927,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Raptor Research","volume":"10 1 1","pages":"479 - 483"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2022-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83655393","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cik Mohd Rizuan Zainal Abidin, Hafidzi Mohd Noor, N. H. Hamid, Shakinah Ravindran, C. L. Puan, A. Kasim, Hasber Salim
{"title":"Breeding Parameters of an Introduced Barn Owl (Tyto alba javanica) Population in an Agricultural Area","authors":"Cik Mohd Rizuan Zainal Abidin, Hafidzi Mohd Noor, N. H. Hamid, Shakinah Ravindran, C. L. Puan, A. Kasim, Hasber Salim","doi":"10.3356/JRR-21-08","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3356/JRR-21-08","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. As part of a biological control program against rat (Rattus spp.) populations in oil palm plantations, Barn Owls (Tyto alba javanica) were translocated from Peninsular Malaysia and released in an oil palm plantation in Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia, on the island of Borneo. We installed 16 nest boxes every 25 ha at the study site and monitored those nest boxes monthly from June 2014 to June 2018 to assess Barn Owl breeding parameters. We collected regurgitated pellets from nest boxes to analyze the prey of the owls. Average nest box occupancy rate throughout the entire study period was 66.7% (±6.1). Nest box occupancy was lower in the first year of the study (average occupancy rate 23% ± 3.6) but increased significantly in the following years. We recorded 84 successful breeding attempts and a total of 555 eggs throughout the study period; 61% of eggs hatched and 60% of eggs produced young that successfully fledged. Clutch size per laying pair ranged from 1 to 9 (average = 5.6) and the brood size at fledging ranged from 1 to 7 (average = 4.0). Diet of the Barn Owls consisted of only small mammals; rodents made up 99% of analyzed pellets, and shrews accounted for 1%. There has been no previous record of Barn Owls naturally occurring in Borneo and this is the first breeding population successfully translocated and established. Resumen. Como parte de un programa de control biológico contra poblaciones de ratas (Rattus spp.) en plantaciones de palma aceitera, se traslocaron ejemplares de Tyto alba javanica desde Malasia peninsular y se liberaron en una plantación de palma aceitera en Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malasia. Instalamos 16 cajas nido cada 25 ha en el área de estudio y las revisamos mensualmente desde junio de 2014 hasta junio de 2018 para evaluar los parámetros reproductivos de T. a. javanica. Recogimos egagrópilas regurgitadas en las cajas nido para analizar las presas. La tasa de ocupación promedio de las cajas nido durante todo el período de estudio fue del 66.7% (± 6.1%). La ocupación de las cajas nido fue menor en el primer año del estudio (tasa de ocupación promedio 23% ± 3.6%), pero aumentó significativamente en los años siguientes. Registramos 84 intentos exitosos de cria y un total de 555 huevos durante todo el período de estudio; 61% de los huevos eclosionaron y 60% de los huevos dieron lugar a polluelos volantones. El tamaño de la puesta osciló entre 1 y 9 huevos (promedio = 5.6) y el tamaño de nidada al momento de volar osciló entre 1 y 7 (promedio = 4.0). La dieta de T. a. javanica consistió únicamente en pequeños mamíferos; los roedores constituyeron el 99% de las egagrópilas analizadas y las musarañas el 1%. No ha habido ningún registro previo de presencia natural de T. a. javanica en Borneo y esta es la primera población reproductora traslocada y establecida con éxito. [Traducción del equipo editorial]","PeriodicalId":16927,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Raptor Research","volume":"199 1","pages":"455 - 465"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2022-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85958525","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
B. Washburn, Craig K. Pullins, Anthony M. Hoffman, Scott F. Beckerman, Travis L. Guerrant
{"title":"Sex Determination of Eastern Red-Tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis borealis) Using Morphometrics","authors":"B. Washburn, Craig K. Pullins, Anthony M. Hoffman, Scott F. Beckerman, Travis L. Guerrant","doi":"10.3356/JRR-22-00004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3356/JRR-22-00004","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Determining the sex of monomorphic species, such as Red-tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis), can be very difficult in the field as the plumage of males and females is similar and body masses overlap between sexes. Our purpose was to develop age-class specific methods that could be used in field settings to accurately determine the sex of Red-tailed Hawks within an Upper Midwestern USA landscape. Red-tailed Hawk carcasses (n = 648) were grouped by age class, weighed, measured, and necropsied to determine the sex of each individual. We compared morphological measurements between males and females and used discriminant function analysis to identify morphological characteristics that were useful in sexing Red-tailed Hawks in-hand. We developed separate equations for hatch-year, second-year, after-second-year, and after-hatch-year Red-tailed Hawks that were 80–88% accurate in correctly classifying eastern Red-tailed Hawks (B. j. borealis) to sex. The region-specific methods we developed should be useful to raptor researchers and managers. Resumen. Determinar el sexo de especies monomórficas, como Buteo jamaicensis, puede ser muy difícil en el campo, ya que el plumaje de los machos y las hembras es similar y las masas corporales se superponen entre los sexos. Nuestro propósito fue desarrollar métodos específicos por clase de edad que pudieran usarse en trabajos de campo para determinar con precisión el sexo de B. jamaicensis dentro de un paisaje del Medio Oeste Superior de EEUU. Los cadáveres de B. jamaicensis (n = 648) fueron agrupados por clase de edad, se pesaron, midieron y se les realizaron necropsias para determinar el sexo de cada individuo. Comparamos las medidas morfológicas entre machos y hembras y usamos análisis de función discriminante para identificar las características morfológicas que fueron útiles para asignar el sexo de los individuos en mano de B. jamaicensis. Desarrollamos ecuaciones separadas para individuos de B. jamaicensis dentro del año de eclosión, del segundo año, después del segundo año y después del año de eclosión que tuvieron una precisión del 80–88% para clasificar correctamente el sexo de los individuos de B. j. borealis del este. Los métodos específicos que desarrollamos para la región deberían ser útiles para los investigadores y gestores de rapaces. [Traducción del equipo editorial]","PeriodicalId":16927,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Raptor Research","volume":"27 1","pages":"466 - 470"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2022-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90425352","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Use of a Feeding Station by Andean Condors in Central Chile","authors":"E. Pavez","doi":"10.3356/JRR-20-124","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3356/JRR-20-124","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Organic waste disposals are a valuable food source for vultures. However, some negative collateral effects may result from their use. I documented Andean Condors' (Vultur gryphus) use of a feeding station, which was established in central Chile to reduce risks associated with condors' use of landfills. I also evaluated the changes in that use over time. The feeding station was in place between 2010 and 2016, from July to December, which are the months with the lowest food availability and the highest presence of condors at the landfill. Between 2010 and 2012, the daily maximum abundances were 85, 72, and 82 condors each respective year. In 2013, the daily maximum abundance peaked at 146 condors, but abundance subsequently decreased until 2016, possibly due to the availability of European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) carcasses associated with an outbreak of myxomatosis. The abundance of the four sex/age classes was highest for immature females, followed by adult females, immature males, and adult males. This contrasts with counts in areas not associated with a predictable source of food, where adult males are the most numerous (Pavez and Estades (2016), Journal of Raptor Research 50:23–32). The high proportion of immature females at the feeding station may reflect a feeding strategy that compensates for their lower social status and foraging effectiveness. Given the current situation in Chile, with the reduction of natural food sources and subsequent increasing use of landfills by condors, it is important to evaluate the use of feeding stations as a management tool during certain times and places. Resumen. Los vertederos de basura orgánica son una valiosa fuente de alimento para buitres, pero su uso también puede resultar en algunos efectos colaterales negativos. En este artículo documento el uso de un punto de alimentación por parte de Vultur gryphus, que fue establecido en Chile central para reducir el riesgo asociado al uso de vertederos por cóndores, y evalúo los cambios en su uso a través del tiempo. El punto de alimentación funcionó entre 2010 y 2016, entre julio y diciembre, meses con baja disponibilidad de alimento y alta presencia de cóndores en el vertedero. Desde 2010 a 2012 la abundancia diaria máxima fue de 85, 72, y 82 cóndores cada año, respectivamente. En 2013 la abundancia máxima alcanzó un pico de 146, decreciendo posteriormente hasta 2016, posiblemente por la disponibilidad de carcasas de conejo europeo (Oryctolagus cuniculus) asociadas a un brote de mixomatosis. La abundancia de clases de sexo/edad fue máxima para las hembras inmaduras, seguidas por las hembras adultas, machos inmaduros y machos adultos. Esto contrasta con conteos hechos en áreas no asociadas a recursos alimenticios predecibles, donde los machos adultos son los más numerosos (Pavez y Estades 2016, Journal of Raptor Research 50:23–32). La alta proporción de hembras inmaduras en el punto de alimentación podría reflejar una estrategia de alimentación q","PeriodicalId":16927,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Raptor Research","volume":"1 1","pages":"430 - 439"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2022-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88570536","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zach Bordner, Rebecca A. McCabe, D. Brinker, R. Rosenfield, Eugene A. Jacobs, Charlotte England, Malcolm Wilson, L. Goodrich
{"title":"Broad-Winged Hawk Size Varies by Sex and Latitude in North America","authors":"Zach Bordner, Rebecca A. McCabe, D. Brinker, R. Rosenfield, Eugene A. Jacobs, Charlotte England, Malcolm Wilson, L. Goodrich","doi":"10.3356/JRR-21-43","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3356/JRR-21-43","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Divergent life histories by sex are common within species of birds; thus, the ability to accurately determine sex is essential in many studies of avian ecology and can possibly lead to more effective conservation strategies. However, sex determination can be difficult in species not displaying dimorphic plumage, including most raptors, and size dimorphism has limited use during observations but is promising for determining sex of raptors in hand. The Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus), known for its long-distance migrations between North and South America, has yet to be examined for morphometric variation across its wide range. We analyzed body mass, wing chord, and tail length data for 119 adult Broad-winged Hawks captured in eastern North America during the breeding seasons from 1974 to 2020. We found that adult female Broad-winged Hawks were larger than adult males overall. Hawks from Wisconsin were larger than hawks from Pennsylvania and Maryland, and hawks from Ontario were larger than those from other populations, suggesting geographic variation in size. Using linear discriminant analysis, we showed that it was possible to determine sex of adults with 99% accuracy in Wisconsin populations using only body mass as a predictor, and 100% accuracy in Pennsylvania and Maryland populations using body mass, wing chord, and tail length as predictors. Morphometric measurements combined with discriminant function analysis proved useful in discerning sex of breeding-season Broad-winged Hawks, and results of this study can guide researchers working in similar regions. We encourage researchers to collect body measurements for this species and other monomorphic raptors to further inform sex determination. Resumen. Las historias de vida divergentes según el sexo son comunes en aves, por lo que la capacidad de determinar con precisión el sexo es esencial en muchos estudios de ecología aviar y posiblemente puede conducir a estrategias de conservación más efectivas. Sin embargo, la determinación del sexo puede ser difícil en especies que no muestran dimorfismo de plumaje, incluida la mayoría de las aves rapaces, y el dimorfismo de tamaño tiene un uso limitado durante las observaciones, pero es prometedor para determinar el sexo de las aves rapaces en la mano. Buteo platypterus, conocido por sus migraciones de larga distancia entre América del Norte y América del Sur, aún debe ser estudiado para determinar la variación morfométrica a lo largo de su amplia área de distribución. Analizamos los datos de masa corporal, cuerda alar y longitud de la cola de 119 individuos de B. platypterus capturados en el este de América del Norte durante las temporadas reproductivas de 1974 a 2020. Encontramos que, en general, las hembras adultas de B. platypterus eran más grandes que los machos adultos. Los individuos de Wisconsin eran más grandes que los de Pensilvania y Maryland, y los individuos de Ontario eran más grandes que los de otras poblaciones, lo que sugi","PeriodicalId":16927,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Raptor Research","volume":"1 1","pages":"412 - 422"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2022-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89290277","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Observations of Termite Insectivory by Mississippi Kites (Ictinia mississippiensis) at a Nuptial Emergence in Louisiana, USA","authors":"S. Platt, T. Rainwater","doi":"10.3356/JRR-22-25","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3356/JRR-22-25","url":null,"abstract":"The Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) is a fairly small raptor (body mass 1⁄4 216–341 g, with females larger than males) with a varied diet consisting of medium-sized and large insects, anurans, and small reptiles, birds, and mammals, including bats (Sherrod 1978, Parker and Palmer 1988, Bader and Bednarz 2011, Parker 2020). Although vertebrates are a significant component of the diet of some individuals and populations, insects are numerically the most important prey of Mississippi Kites (Bader and Bednarz 2011, Chiavacci et al. 2014, Parker 2020). Mississippi Kites are agile fliers able to take insects, birds, and bats on the wing, and they frequently congregate in large feeding aggregations where these prey are abundant (Bent 1937, Sutton 1939, Skinner 1962, Turcotte and Watts 1999). We here report novel observations of a group of Mississippi Kites feeding on termites (Isoptera) during a nuptial emergence in Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, USA. Termite alates (winged, reproductive adults of both sexes) exit colonies en masse during synchronized nuptial flights that occur seasonally, usually after nightfall, and often following rains (Dial and Vaughan 1987, Pearce 1997). Alates are slow, cumbersome flyers and nuptial flights often attract large numbers of mammalian and avian predators, including raptors that prey on the emerging termites (Dial and Vaughan 1987, Bussiere and Wijers 2013, Platt et al. 2021). Our observations were made at Webb Park Golf Course and the adjacent Westdale Heights Academic Magnet School on College Drive (30825.417N, 91808.017W) from 1830–1920 H on 15 May 2020. Mississippi Kites are common in the surrounding, well-wooded urban landscape and have nested on the golf course (S. Platt unpubl. data). Our observations began at 1830 H when, from a distance we noted a group of 6–7 Mississippi Kites soaring just above the treetops (altitude approximately 20–30 m) at the school. The kites appeared to be catching flying insects during repeated passes over the school. Upon entering the schoolyard, we found swarming alate termites spilling forth from an opening at the base of a large, partially hollow sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) and flying upward in a loosely dispersed plume. In the manner previously described for taking insect prey (Skinner 1962, Glinski and Ohmart 1983), the kites employed their feet to capture alates, often rapidly changing course to intercept an approaching termite. In several instances kites appeared to consume captured termites while in flight, although we could not be certain given our distance from the birds and small size of the alates. Likewise, our attempts to assess individual foraging success were foiled by distance and our inability to track the quick, agile aerial maneuvers of the kites. Determining hunting success of kites even at relatively close range is challenging (Fitch 1963). Also present were two or three Chimney Swifts (Chaetura pelagica) and a single Easter","PeriodicalId":16927,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Raptor Research","volume":"67 1","pages":"496 - 497"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2022-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82108783","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Applied Studies of Raptor Sensory Ecology are Rare","authors":"C. Mcclure, Simon Potier, J. Barber","doi":"10.3356/JRR-22-41","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3356/JRR-22-41","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Light and noise often act as pollutants, but can also be used as tools for managing wildlife (e.g., sensory deterrents). Given that raptors are among the most threatened groups of birds, we expected there to be a moderate amount of applied research on their sensory ecology. We searched Web of Science and Google Scholar to quantify and classify the research that has been conducted on the applied sensory ecology of raptors. Of 32 studies assessing the effects of sensory pollution on raptors, we found that 10 studies examined effects of light pollution and 24 studies examined effects of noise pollution. Most of the studies regarding sensory pollution were of owls (21 studies). The United States was the site of the most noise pollution studies (seven studies) whereas Spain and Poland (two studies each) were sites of the most studies of light pollution. We found only seven studies that directly collected data regarding sensory deterrents. With so few studies examining applied aspects of the sensory ecology of raptors, we argue that effects of sensory pollution are poorly understood and the efficacy of sensory deterrents is largely unknown. Light and noise pollution are spreading across much of the globe. Applied research on the sensory ecology of raptors must be made a priority if wildlife managers are to conserve this imperiled group of birds. Resumen. La luz y el ruido a menudo actúan como contaminantes, pero también se pueden usar como herramientas para manejar la fauna salvaje (e.g., disuasores sensoriales). Dado que las rapaces se encuentran entre los grupos de aves más amenazados, esperábamos que hubiera una cantidad moderada de investigación aplicada sobre su ecología sensorial. Realizamos búsquedas en Web of Science y Google Académico para cuantificar y clasificar la investigación que se ha realizado sobre la ecología sensorial aplicada de las rapaces. De 32 estudios que evaluaron los efectos de la contaminación sensorial en las rapaces, encontramos que 10 estudios examinaron los efectos de la contaminación lumínica y 24 estudios examinaron los efectos de la contaminación sonora. La mayoría de los estudios sobre contaminación sensorial fueron de búhos (21 estudios). Estados Unidos fue el sitio con la mayor cantidad de estudios de contaminación sonora (siete estudios), mientras que España y Polonia (dos estudios cada uno) fueron los países con la mayor cantidad de estudios de contaminación lumínica. Solo encontramos siete estudios que tomaron datos directamente con respecto a los disuasores sensoriales. Con tan pocos estudios que examinan los aspectos aplicados de la ecología sensorial de las rapaces, argumentamos que los efectos de la contaminación sensorial son poco conocidos y que se desconoce en gran medida la eficacia de los disuasores sensoriales. La contaminación lumínica y sonora se está extendiendo por gran parte del mundo. La investigación aplicada sobre la ecología sensorial de las rapaces debe ser una prioridad si los gest","PeriodicalId":16927,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Raptor Research","volume":"59 1","pages":"490 - 495"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2022-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80489890","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}