Social scavenging by wintering striated caracaras (Phalcoboenus australis) in the Falkland Islands

The dynamic trophic niche of an island bird of prey

“…Larger niche width of floaters can be attributed to three, nonexclusive factors: (a) an expansion of their trophic niche to include nonpenguin resources, (b) their greater foraging mobility, and (c) opportunistic and/or differential accessibility to the penguin colony due to agonistic/hierarchical interactions between individuals. The latter has been found in Malvinas/Falklands other populations (Autilio et al., 2019), in which adults had higher hierarchical ranks relative to immatures and juveniles in competing for carcasses. Other caracara species are also known for their complex social behaviors that restrict or enhance the foraging niche of an otherwise isolated individual (e.g., Biondi et al., 2010; Jones, 1999; Thiollay, 1991).…”

“…In our study system, interference competition could impede some individuals from reaching their optimal diet. Larger niche width of floaters can be attributed to three, The latter has been found in Malvinas/Falklands other populations (Autilio et al, 2019), in which adults had higher hierarchical ranks relative to immatures and juveniles in competing for carcasses. Other caracara species are also known for their complex social behaviors that restrict or enhance the foraging niche of an otherwise isolated individual (e.g., Biondi et al, 2010;Jones, 1999;Thiollay, 1991).…”