Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis)

Author(s):  
Marc J. Bechard ◽  
Josef K. Schmutz
Keyword(s):  
2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 222-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Junda ◽  
Erick Greene ◽  
David M. Bird

Small rotary-winged unmanned aerial vehicles or “drones” mounted with a small video camera were successful in surveying the nest contents of four species of raptor, including Osprey (Pandion haliaetus), Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis), and Red-tailed Hawk (B. jamaicensis) in an accurate and safe manner when the proper flight technique was employed. A total of 110 surveys were completed in 2013 and 2014 with quality images of nest contents obtained in 106 or (96.4%) of flights. A successful and safe flight requires two personnel: the pilot who controls the aircraft and the spotter who monitors the behaviour of the adult birds defending the nest and keeps the pilot updated on all potentially dangerous interactions between aircraft and the birds. With the video camera recording, the aircraft is flown above the nest to a predetermined location that allows an unobscured camera shot of the nest. This technique can be readily adapted to a variety of habitat types and species. The accuracy of data obtained combined with the flexibility, low cost, and speed of this technique make it a useful technological alternative to the safety risks and obtrusiveness associated with traditional survey techniques.


The Condor ◽  
1977 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 245 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. E. Fitzner ◽  
D. Berry ◽  
L. L. Boyd ◽  
C. A. Rieck
Keyword(s):  

1997 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 152-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
James R. Zelenak ◽  
Jay J. Rotella ◽  
Alan R. Harmata

Few data exist regarding survival of Ferruginous Hawks (Buteo regalis) during the fledgling period. Consequently, we estimated the survival rate of juvenile Ferruginous Hawks from fledging to dispersal from the breeding area in northern Montana in 1993 – 1994 using radiotelemetry. A 171-km2 study area contained 24 occupied breeding sites in both years (7.12 km2/pair). Mean productivity was 0.96 young fledged per occupied breeding site (SE = 0.19, n = 48) and 2.30 young fledged per successful nest (SE = 0.21, n = 20). The average fledging age was 43.3 days. The survival rate for 27 radio-marked fledglings was high during the 3 weeks after fledging (Ŝ = 0.86, SE = 0.02). No fledgling mortality occurred > 10 days after fledging. When fledgling mortality was considered, occupied breeding sites produced an average of 0.82 dispersing young (SE = 0.24) and successful nests produced an average of 1.96 dispersing young (SE = 0.18). Our data concur with smaller data sets from earlier studies, which suggested that postfledging mortality is low.


2015 ◽  
Vol 157 (1) ◽  
pp. 355-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chelsey M. Laux ◽  
Cameron J. Nordell ◽  
Ryan J. Fisher ◽  
Janet W. Ng ◽  
Troy I. Wellicome ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  

1989 ◽  
Vol 67 (10) ◽  
pp. 2596-2601 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josef K. Schmutz ◽  
Daniel J. Hungle

We compared changes in the densities of breeding ferruginous (Buteo regalis) and Swainson's hawks (Buteo swainsoni) over a period of 9 years with the abundance of a major prey species, Richardson's ground squirrel (Spermophilus richardsonii). We used the amount of poison distributed by landowners annually in their attempts to reduce crop damage by ground squirrels as an index of ground squirrel abundance. Though ground squirrel abundance was positively correlated with hawk density overall, the hawks differed in their responses to changing prey density. Breeding density and fledging success of the ferruginous hawk, a food specialist, were consistently correlated with squirrel abundance. The density of Swainson's hawks increased only where grassland was interspersed with agricultural fields. Fledging success of Swainson's hawks was not correlated with ground squirrel abundance. We suggest that the availability of small prey in spring affected breeding dispersion and reproductive success of Swainson's hawks.


2014 ◽  
Vol 128 (2) ◽  
pp. 145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josef K. Schmutz ◽  
Martin A. Gérard ◽  
Gordon S. Court ◽  
R. Wayne Nelson

In three long-term studies of Ferruginous Hawks (Buteo regalis), Rough-legged Hawks (Buteo lagopus), and Great Horned Owls (Bubo virginianus), we observed rare but regular occurrences of superabundant prey at nests where nestlings were hungry, emaciated, or dead. In these cases, a male appeared to be the lone parent; the female parent was found dead, kept away by disturbances, or simply absent. We conclude that the male parents, whose normal role is to provide food, were unable to expand their care to include morseling, feeding, and brooding. Faced with the stress of incessant food begging by nestlings, the male parents responded by bringing more and more food to the nest, to the point where food spoiled while the young starved amid plenty. We provide and interpret detailed observations for 11 such cases and suggest several variables that would influence the nestlings’ chances of survival.


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