Summer Diet of the Peregrine Falcon in Faunistically Rich and Poor Zones of Arizona Analyzed with Capture-Recapture Modeling

Abstract

We collected prey remains from 25 Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) territories across Arizona from 1977 to 1988 yielding 58 eyrie-years of data. Along with 793 individual birds (107 species and six additional genera), we found seven mammals and nine insects. In addition, two nestling peregrines were consumed. We found a larger dependence upon White-throated Swifts (Aeronautes saxatalis) and birds on migration in northern Arizona, while in southeastern and central Arizona average prey mass was greater and columbiforms formed the largest dietary component. In northern, central, and southeastern Arizona, 74, 66, and 56 avian prey taxa, respectively, were recorded. We used capture-recapture modeling to estimate totals of 111 ± 9.5, 113 ± 10.5, and 86 ± 7.9 (SE) avian taxa taken in these same three areas. These values are counterintuitive inasmuch as the southeast has the richest avifauna. For the entire study area, 156 ± 9.3 avian taxa were estimated to be taken by peregrines.Dieta Estival de Falco peregrinus en Arizona Comparando Zonas Ricas y Pobres en Avifauna Mediante un Modelo de Captura-RecapturaResumen. Desde 1977 a 1988 colectamos restos de presas en 58 nidos de Falco peregrinus a través de Arizona. Conjuntamente con 793 aves individuales (107 especies y seis géneros adicionales), encontramos siete mamíferos y nueve insectos. Además, fueron consumidos dos pichones de Falco peregrinus. En la zona norte encontramos una mayor dependencia sobre Aeronautes saxatalis y aves en migración, mientras que en las zonas sureste y central la masa promedio de presa fue más grande y los columbiformes constituyeron el componente principal de la dieta de Falco peregrinus. En las zonas norte, central y sureste se registraron 74, 66 y 56 taxa de aves presa, respectivamente. Para estimar el número total de taxa capturados por Falco peregrinus usamos un modelo de captura-recaptura. Los valores calculados fueron 111 ± 9.5, 113 ± 10.5 y 86 ± 7.9 (EE) taxa para las zonas norte, central y sureste, respectivamente. Estos valores no reflejan los que esperábamos, ya que la zona sureste tuvo una avifauna más rica. Se estimó que 156 ± 9.3 taxa fueron capturados por Falco peregrinus en la totalidad del área de estudio.

Diet of Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus) in Korea: Food Items and Seasonal Changes

“…Although we could not quantify prey preferences due to a lack of information on overall prey availability or unused prey, commonly taken prey species were abundant residents (e.g., turtle-doves), migratory birds (e.g., thrushes), and colonial seabirds (e.g., murrelets) of the biomass range 100-200 g in this region. The heaviest prey items in our study were Herring Gulls, Mallards, and Chinese Spot-billed Ducks, all of which are at the approximate upper limit (1036-1100 g) for regularly taken prey of Peregrine Falcons (Ellis et al 2004, Olsen et al 2008.…”

“…Remains of prey that could not be positively identified in the field were brought to the laboratory and identified by examining the remaining parts such as heads, wings, legs, and feathers; some of the remains were compared to reference collections, live birds in bird banding stations, and to our own specimens from the study areas for identification (Oro andTella 1995, Ellis et al 2004). To avoid counting an individual bird twice, we cleaned the prey remains and feathers from the perching site or nests after sample collection, and used only diagnostic parts of prey to conservatively estimate the minimum number of individuals present (Oro and Tella 1995, Ellis et al 2004, Probst et al 2007, Olsen et al 2008. Because feathers in pellets were typically highly digested and abraded, only a few prey items with unique coloration and marks (such as the Black-naped Oriole [Oriolus chinensis]) were recognizable.…”

Fatal Aerosacculitis and Pneumonia Associated with Eucoleus sp. (Nematoda: Capillaridae) in the Lungs of a Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)

“…Mammalian hosts acquire E. aerophilus by preying on infected earthworms (Anderson, 2000). Earthworms have not been recorded in the diet of Peregrine Falcons, which feed mostly on birds and occasionally on mammals and insects (Ellis et al, 2004). We speculate that the falcon could have become infected after preying on a bird that recently consumed earthworms.…”

Multi‐season occupancy models identify biotic and abiotic factors influencing a recovering Arctic Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinus tundriuspopulation

“…Grebence & White , Olsen & Olsen ,b, Ellis et al . , Brambilla et al . ), we made predictions to test relationships between these parameters and biotic and abiotic covariates, specifically climate, topography, previous year's productivity (as an index of site quality; hereafter referred to as productivity), area of surrounding prey habitat, competition and year (Table S1).…”