Nesting biology of the Aplomado Falcon (Falco femoralis) at Parque Nacional das Emas, central Brazil

Abstract

Te objective of this study was to investigate aspects of the nesting biology of the Aplomado Falcon, Falco femoralis (Temminck, 1822), at Parque Nacional das Emas, Brazil. Woodland (Campo Cerrado) frebreaks were searched for nests in October 2006 and October 2009 by driving a vehicle along a road adjacent to these fre managed vegetation strips. Most (62%) of the eight nests found were in canopies of fruiting Pouteria torta trees. Nests were at 2.2–3.8 m above ground. Invariably, clutch size was of three cream eggs and nestlings had a white plumage in the frst days of life. For two active nests, adults also defended an additional empty nest located in the surroundings. No evidences of nest destruction or predation were detected. Falco femoralis successfully uses frebreaks for breeding at Parque Nacional das Emas.

Trio of Aplomado Falcons Captures a Swallow-Tailed Kite

“…The observation occurred at an ecotone where the Cerrado meets a spring-fed swamp along the Formoso River (18°15′16.75″S, 52°53′14.26″W). The site is dominated by native grasses (e.g., capim flecha [ Tristachya leiostachya ]), with scattered low trees (≤10 m; e.g., wooly abiu [ Pouteria torta ]) and hydrophytic wetland plants (Tubelis 2019).…”

“…Aplomado Falcons chase and attack large birds and potential predators for multiple reasons. Two pairs in our study area mobbed researchers who approached empty stick nests 15–20 m from nests containing eggs or young (Tubelis 2019). The location where the trio of falcons attacked the kite was 1 km from the nearest nest, making defense of the nest or young conceivable; however, the attack occurred after the breeding season (August through mid-November in central Brazil; Marini et al 2012, Tubelis 2019).…”