DOCSLIB.ORG

Ecology of the Bald Eagle and Osprey in Yellowstone National Park, Jon

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Ecology of the Bald Eagle and Osprey in Yellowstone National Park, Jon Ecology of the bald eagle and osprey in Yellowstone National Park, Jon Eugene Swenson by Jon Eugene Swenson A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE in Fish and Wildlife Management Montana State University © Copyright by Jon Eugene Swenson (1975) Abstract: The ecology of the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and osprey (Pandion haliaetus) in Yellowstone National Park was studied during the summers of 1972, 1973 and 1974. From historical records, it appeared as though the bald eagle population had remained stable while the osprey population had declined in numbers and distribution. Bald eagles, apparently those which nest in the park, winter along • major rivers, primarily on ungulate wintering areas. Eagle and osprey nest sites were described and compared. Bald eagle territories seemed to be limited by open water at the time of nest initiation. Both species nested later in the park than elsewhere at the same latitude. Ospreys nested later on the lakes (after ice-out) than streams. Bald eagle nest success, 23.3 percent, and productivity per occupied nest, 0.23 percent, were significantly less than in 1960-61. Osprey reproduction has also declined, but nests on Yellowstone Lake had significantly lower nest success and productivity per occupied nest, 28.3 percent and 0.45, respectively, than stream nests, 63.4 percent and 0.95, respectively. This difference appeared to be related to human presence near nests. The corresponding parameters for the entire osprey population were 41.1 percent and 0.64, respectively. In 1972 and 1973, success of osprey nests on Yellowstone Lake was significantly higher for those over 1 km from a backcountry campsite. Bald eagle reproduction was apparently not affected by human presence. Late ice-out was believed to be the cause of delayed nesting and reduced success of ospreys nesting on Yellowstone Lake in 1974. Pesticide residues were detected in osprey eggs from the park. The diet of bald eagles consisted of 57.1 percent birds, 36 percent water-fowl, 25.0 percent fish and 17.9 percent mammals; the diet of ospreys on Yellowstone Lake consisted of about 93 percent cutthroat trout of an average size of 27.6 cm. Osprey foraging parameters from Yellowstone Lake were reported. They seemed to forage over deep water in response to the distribution of the favored size of the major prey species. A hypothesis of population regulation in the bald eagles, based on increased subadult survival in response to reduced competition through lowered natality and adult territorial aggression, is presented to explain the stable numbers despite reduced reproduction. Management recommendations were presented. STATEMENT OF PERMISSION TO COPY In presenting this thesis in partial fulfillment of the require­ ments for an advanced degree at Montana State University, I agree that the Library shall make it freely available for inspection. I further agree that permission for extensive copying of this thesis for - scholarly purposes may be granted by my major professor, or, in his absence, by the Director of Libraries. It is understood that any copying or publication of this thesis for financial, gain shall not be allowed without my written permission. Signature Date ECOLOGYLOE -THE BALD EAGLE AND OSPREY IN , YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK by JON EUGENE SWENSON A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree ' ofJT X| MASTER OF SCIENCE in Fish and Wildlife Management Approved: Chairman, Examin: Committee ■ [ead, Major Department MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY Bozeman, Montana March, 1975 ill ACKNOWLEDGMENT I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to Dr. Robert L. Eng, Montana State University, for supervision of the study and guidance in preparation of the manuscript; Mr. Glen F. Cole, National Park Service, for advice and assistance; Jim Stradley, for his able piloting which was so important; Messrs. Dale Nuss, Elwood Jones and Pat Ozmunt, National Park Service, for assistance in the field; Messrs. Jack L. Dean and John D. Varley, Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wild­ life, for help and information on the park fishes; Drs. Don C. Quimby and William R. Gould, for critical reading of the manuscript; the many National Park Service personnel I worked with, especially those in Canyon, for their hospitality and assistance; and to my wife, Hanne, for encouragement, understanding and field assistance. During this study, I was supported by the National Park Service under RSP Project YELL-N-66. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Page V I T A .................................. ................... ii ACKNOWLEDGMENT ................................................ iii LIST OF TABLES ......................... viii LIST OF FIGURES .............................................. xi ABSTRACT .................................................. xii INTRODUCTION .................................................. I DESCRIPTION OF A R E A .......................................... 2 Physiography . in <f cN oo oooooo Climate ..... Vegetation . Primary Study Area METHODS ...... Literature Search ........ Nest Surveys ............. Classification of Immatures Nest Site M e a s u r e m e n t s .................................... 9 Reproductive Terminology .................................... 10 Effects of Human Presence .................................... 11 Egg and Eggshell Analyses ............................. .' . 12 Food Items and Foraging B e h a v i o r ................... 13 Statistical Analyses ........................................ 15 RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS ....................... .............. - 16 Present and Historical Numbers and Distribution ...... 16 Bald E a g l e ................................................ 16 O s p r e y s ................................................... 20 Movements and Migration ...................................... 24 Bald E a g l e ................................................. 24 O s p r e y ..................................................... 30 V TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) Page Nest sites and Nesting Distribution ....................... 32 Nest Site S e l e c t i o n .................................... 32 Factors Affecting Nesting Distribution ................. 34 Relations to Burns ................ 37 Nesting Chronology ........................................ • 38 Egg-laying................ 38 BaZd E a g l e ..................... ,.................... 38 O s p r e y ............ 39 Hatching . ............................................. 40 Bald E a g l e ............ 40 O s p r e y ...............'............................... 40 Fledging .......................................... .. 42 Bald E a g l e .......................................... 42 O s p r e y ............................. 42 Reproduction . ............................................. 43 E g g s ................... ’................................. 43 Bald E a g l e .......................................... '43 O s p r e y .............................................. 43 Y o u n g ................................................... 46 Bald E a g l e .......... 46 O s p r e y .............................................. 48 Nest Success and P r o d u c t i v i t y ......................... 50 Bald E a g l e .......................................... 50 O s p r e y ........................... •.................. 51 vi ' TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) Page Nonbreeding.......................................... 55 Bald E a g l e ........................................ 55 O s p r e y ................................................ 56 Factors Affecting Reproductive Success ..................... 57 Human Presence .......................................... 57 Bald E a g l e ........................... ■............... 57 O s p r e y .................................... ■ ........... 59 W e a t h e r ............................. 69 Bald E a g l e .......................................... ’ . 69 O s p r e y ............................. ,....'......... 69 Pesticides . ; ................................. 72, H i s t o r y ................ 72 Bald E a g l e ............................................ ■ 75 O s p r e y ................................................ 76 Predation................................................ 80 Prey and Foraging Beha v i o r .................................. 80 Prey S p e c i e s ....................... 80 Bald E a g l e ............................................ 80 Osprey ..... ...................................... 84 Osprey Prey Size *...............' ........... 85 Foraging Behavior and Success . ............... 88 Bald. E a g l e ................ 88 O s p r e y ................................................ 89 Feeding of Nestling Ospreys ............................. 95 7 % vii TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) Page Effects of Human Presence on Osprey Foraging ............. 95 Ihtra- and Interspecific Interactions ....................... 97 Bald E a g l e ...............'................................ 97 Osprey . ....................................... 103 Bald Eagle— Osprey .......................................... 104 Other Interactions......................................... 105 DISCUSSION.............................................. 107 Population Status ............................................. 107 Bald E a g l e ........ ................ '..................... 107 O s p r e y ...................................................... 107 A Hypothesis on Population Regulation in the Bald Eagle . H O Management
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Bontebok Birds
    Birds recorded in the Bontebok National Park 8 Little Grebe 446 European Roller 55 White-breasted Cormorant 451 African Hoopoe 58 Reed Cormorant 465 Acacia Pied Barbet 60 African Darter 469 Red-fronted Tinkerbird * 62 Grey Heron 474 Greater Honeyguide 63 Black-headed Heron 476 Lesser Honeyguide 65 Purple Heron 480 Ground Woodpecker 66 Great Egret 486 Cardinal Woodpecker 68 Yellow-billed Egret 488 Olive Woodpecker 71 Cattle Egret 494 Rufous-naped Lark * 81 Hamerkop 495 Cape Clapper Lark 83 White Stork n/a Agulhas Longbilled Lark 84 Black Stork 502 Karoo Lark 91 African Sacred Ibis 504 Red Lark * 94 Hadeda Ibis 506 Spike-heeled Lark 95 African Spoonbill 507 Red-capped Lark 102 Egyptian Goose 512 Thick-billed Lark 103 South African Shelduck 518 Barn Swallow 104 Yellow-billed Duck 520 White-throated Swallow 105 African Black Duck 523 Pearl-breasted Swallow 106 Cape Teal 526 Greater Striped Swallow 108 Red-billed Teal 529 Rock Martin 112 Cape Shoveler 530 Common House-Martin 113 Southern Pochard 533 Brown-throated Martin 116 Spur-winged Goose 534 Banded Martin 118 Secretarybird 536 Black Sawwing 122 Cape Vulture 541 Fork-tailed Drongo 126 Black (Yellow-billed) Kite 547 Cape Crow 127 Black-shouldered Kite 548 Pied Crow 131 Verreauxs' Eagle 550 White-necked Raven 136 Booted Eagle 551 Grey Tit 140 Martial Eagle 557 Cape Penduline-Tit 148 African Fish-Eagle 566 Cape Bulbul 149 Steppe Buzzard 572 Sombre Greenbul 152 Jackal Buzzard 577 Olive Thrush 155 Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk 582 Sentinel Rock-Thrush 158 Black Sparrowhawk 587 Capped Wheatear
    [Show full text]
  • Identifying a Bird Species from the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir El-Bahari
    The secretarybird dilemma: identifying a bird species from the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari Abstract: Known from a few representations in Predynastic Egyp- tian art, the secretarybird has otherwise been elusive, in the art of Pharaonic Egypt as well as the scientific discourse on icono- graphic imagery of birds in ancient Egypt. The author’s studies of the animal decoration at the Temple for her doctoral dissertation identified three images of birds belonging most likely to the same species, depicted in the context of the expedition of Hatshepsut shown in the Portico of Punt. The zoological identification of the species as the secretarybird (another possibility is the African harrier-hawk) derives from an in-depth analysis of the bird’s sys- tematics, appearance, distribution and habitat, as well as behavior, which are essential for proper species recognition and instrumen- tal for understanding the rationale behind bringing this particular bird from the “God’s Land”. Iconographic features contesting this identification and suggesting a different species, that is, the African harrier-hawk, are discussed based on a combination of theoretical background, material analysis, on-site interviews with experts and the author’s personal experience with the species. Keywords: African animals, birds in Ancient Egypt, secretarybird, African harrier-hawk, temple of Hatshepsut, Deir el-Bahari, Hat- shepsut Punt expedition, temple decoration A bird depicted in possibly three separate scenes from the Southern Middle Portico of the Temple of Hat- shepsut in Deir el-Bahari, documented in 2012 by the author as part of her extended study of animals in the decoration of this Eighteenth Dynasty sanctuary [Fig.
    [Show full text]
  • Wwtworldwide
    In each list below, only one bird has talons to catch its prey. Amazing Adaptations - Answers CIRCLE the bird with talons. Quiz for children aged 5-7 years 9 MALLARD DUCK MUTE SWAN OSPREY 10 MARSH HARRIER REED WARBLER CANADA GOOSE Round 1: Picture round The following birds were all featured in this week’s Amazing Adaptation Cards. Q Can you name them? Round 3: Which is the longest? In this week’s session you looked at birds that have long legs to keep their body above the water. In each list below, CIRCLE the bird that has the longest legs. If you get stuck, use your Amazing Adaptations Cards to help you. 11 REED WARBLER GREY HERON KINGFISHER © Tony Sutton© Tony @ flickr 12 LITTLE EGRET DIPPER MALLARD DUCK 1 (Mute) swan 2 (Grey) heron 3 Avocet 13 DIPPER AVOCET REED WARBLER In this week’s session you looked at birds that had long necks to reach food below the water. In each list below, CIRCLE the bird that has the longest neck. 14 MUTE SWAN OSPREY MALLARD DUCK © ianpreston @ flickr 4 (Mallard) duck 5 Dipper 15 MARSH HARRIER GREY HERON KINGFISHER Round 2: Odd one out round In this week’s session you looked at different types of feet suited to wetlands. In each list below, only one bird has webbed feet. Circle the bird with webbed feet. If you get stuck, use your Amazing Adaptations Cards to help you. Q Can you CIRCLE the odd one out in each list below? 6 REED WARBLER MUTE SWAN OSPREY The otter is a mammal and the other two are amphibians.
    [Show full text]
  • Leptosomiformes ~ Trogoniformes ~ Bucerotiformes ~ Piciformes
    Birds of the World part 6 Afroaves The core landbirds originating in Africa TELLURAVES: AFROAVES – core landbirds originating in Africa (8 orders) • ORDER ACCIPITRIFORMES – hawks and allies (4 families, 265 species) – Family Cathartidae – New World vultures (7 species) – Family Sagittariidae – secretarybird (1 species) – Family Pandionidae – ospreys (2 species) – Family Accipitridae – kites, hawks, and eagles (255 species) • ORDER STRIGIFORMES – owls (2 families, 241 species) – Family Tytonidae – barn owls (19 species) – Family Strigidae – owls (222 species) • ORDER COLIIFORMES (1 family, 6 species) – Family Coliidae – mousebirds (6 species) • ORDER LEPTOSOMIFORMES (1 family, 1 species) – Family Leptosomidae – cuckoo-roller (1 species) • ORDER TROGONIFORMES (1 family, 43 species) – Family Trogonidae – trogons (43 species) • ORDER BUCEROTIFORMES – hornbills and hoopoes (4 families, 74 species) – Family Upupidae – hoopoes (4 species) – Family Phoeniculidae – wood hoopoes (9 species) – Family Bucorvidae – ground hornbills (2 species) – Family Bucerotidae – hornbills (59 species) • ORDER PICIFORMES – woodpeckers and allies (9 families, 443 species) – Family Galbulidae – jacamars (18 species) – Family Bucconidae – puffbirds (37 species) – Family Capitonidae – New World barbets (15 species) – Family Semnornithidae – toucan barbets (2 species) – Family Ramphastidae – toucans (46 species) – Family Megalaimidae – Asian barbets (32 species) – Family Lybiidae – African barbets (42 species) – Family Indicatoridae – honeyguides (17 species) – Family
    [Show full text]
  • Cfreptiles & Amphibians
    WWW.IRCF.ORG/REPTILESANDAMPHIBIANSJOURNALTABLE OF CONTENTS IRCF REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS IRCF REPTILES • VOL15, &NO AMPHIBIANS 4 • DEC 2008 189 • 23(1):51–61 • APR 2016 IRCF REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS CONSERVATION AND NATURAL HISTORY TABLE OF CONTENTS TRAVELOGUE FEATURE ARTICLES . Chasing Bullsnakes (Pituophis catenifer sayi) in Wisconsin: TexasOn the Road to Understanding Tech the Ecology and University Conservation of the Midwest’s Giant Serpent Students ...................... Joshua M. Kapfer 190 . The Shared History of Treeboas (Corallus grenadensis) and Humans on Grenada: A Hypothetical Excursion ............................................................................................................................Robert W. Henderson 198 RESEARCH ARTICLESTake On Zimbabwe . The Texas Horned Lizard in Central and Western Texas ....................... Emily Henry, Jason Brewer, Krista Mougey, and Gad Perry 204 . The Knight Anole (Anolis equestrisKaitlin) in Florida Danis, Ashley Hogan, and Kirsten Smith .............................................Texas BrianTech J. University, Camposano, KennethLubbock, L. Krysko, Texas Kevin 79409 M. Enge,([email protected]) Ellen M. Donlan, and Michael Granatosky 212 CONSERVATION ALERT n the night of. Wednesday,World’s Mammals in 14Crisis May ............................................................................................................................................................. 2014, 27 Texas three-week journey across South Africa 220 and Zimbabwe began Tech students tossed. More
    [Show full text]
  • Preliminary Studies on the Effect of Organochlorine Pesticides on Birds in Tanzania
    IIIIIIIIIIII XA9743728 PRELIMINARY STUDIES ON THE EFFECT OF ORGANOCHLORINE PESTICIDES ON BIRDS IN TANZANIA A.S.M. UANI, J.M. KATONDO, J.M. MALULU Tropical Pesticides Research Institute, Arusha, Tanzania Abstract Preliminary studies to investigate the effects of organochlorine pesticides on birds was conducted in Lower Moshi, NAFCO West Kilimanjaro, Arusha seed farm. Tropical Pesticides Research Institute (TPRI) farms, Manyara ranch and areas around Lake Victoria as well as in the TPRI laboratory in Tanzania. Large quantities of the pesticides particularly DDT, endosulfan, dieldrin, lindane and toxaphene are still being applied against pests of cotton, coffee, maize, beans and other crops as well as disease vectors in the country. Several groups of birds including waterbirds, African Fish Eagles, Marabou storks, Oxpecker, ducks, etc. were found feeding, roosting and swimming in the water and exposed to other substances that were contaminated with organochlorine pesticides and were presumably at risk. Analytical results from the tissues of the African Fish Eagles collected from Lake Victoria areas showed that the kidneys were contaminated with p,p3- DDE and o,p3- DDE at levels of 0.4 ng g ' and 1.45 ng g'1 respectively. These organochlorine insecticides as well as P-HCH were also present in the brain and liver tissues. The levels of the organochlorine residues were well below the lethal and sublethal levels for bird raptors reported in the literature. 1. INTRODUCTION Organochlorine pesticides, including DDT, dieldrin, endosulfan, lindane and toxaphene, are still being used to control agricultural pests and vectors of human and animal diseases in developing countries in the tropical and subtropical regions.
    [Show full text]
  • The Birds of Lake Park Brochure
    A=Abundant (easily seen), C=Common (likely seen), BIRD SP SU F W U=Uncommon (present but not easily seen), R=Rare Grasshopper Sparrow R (rarely seen), X=Accidental (may be seen but not Le Conte’s Sparrow R R R every year) Fox Sparrow U C C *** Song Sparrow U U U SP=Spring, SU=Summer, F=Fall, W=Winter Lincoln’s Sparrow U U U BIRD SP SU F W Swamp Sparrow U U C ConventionFounded: & Visitors 1844 Bureau DUCKS, GEESE & SWANs White-throated Sparrow C C C Black-bellied Whistling Duck X Harris’s Sparrow U U C The Birds Greater White-fronted Goose R U R White-crowned Sparrow U U A Incorporated: 1925 Snow Goose R R R Dark-eyed Junco C C C Canada Goose R U U Lapland Longspur R R R Tundra Swan X Smith’s Longspur R Wood Duck U U U U Chestnut-collared Longspur R R R 2008 Population: 97,550 of Lake Park Gadwall U C C Snow Bunting X American Wigeon U C C Land Area: 43 sq. miles Mallard A A A A CARDINals & ALLIES Mottled Duck X Northern Cardinal A A A A Blue-winged Teal U U R Blue Grosbeak R R R Cinnamon Teal R Lazuli Bunting X X Located in the heart of the D/FW Northern Shoveler C C C Indigo Bunting U U U Metroplex along the vital Interstate Northern Pintail U U U Painted Bunting U U U Green-winged Teal U C C Dickcissel U U U 35E and Texas 121 corridors, just a Canvasback R U R Redhead R U R BlacKBIRDS short drive from DFW Airport and Ring-necked Duck U U U Greater Scaup R Red-winged Blackbird A A A A Lesser Scaup U U C Eastern Meadowlark C U C C downtown Dallas, and readily Common Goldeneye R Western Meadowlark C C C accessible to major shopping, tourism White-winged Scoter X Yellow-headed Blackbird U U Long-tailed Duck X Brewer’s Blackbird R R and employment destinations.
    [Show full text]
  • Bald Eagle & Osprey Recovery in Wisconsin
    Bald Eagle & Osprey Recovery in Wisconsin Bald Eagles Osprey Wing Span Wing Span Females 79-90” • 60-72” Males 72-82” Weight Weight • 2.5–4.5 lbs • 10-14 lbs Length Length • 23” • 31” Haliaeetus leucocephalus - Bald Eagle Pandion haliaetus -Osprey Bald Eagle Range Number of nesting Bald Eagle pairs by state - 2007 Osprey Range A Little History… . In 1782 when the U.S. adopted the bald eagle as our national bird, an estimated 100,000 nests were found in the lower 48 . By 1963 only 418 nesting pairs were found in the lower 48 . When they were delisted in 2007, we had almost 10,000 nesting pairs – 2014 ~ 14,000 . In 2017 Wisconsin had >1,590 nesting pairs Status Bald Eagles . Down-listed to threatened in 1995. Completely de-listed in 2007 . Still Protected by Bald & Golden Eagle Protection Act. The Lacy Act, & The Migratory bird Act. Osprey . Down-listed to threatened in 1989. Completely delisted in 2009. Still protected by Migratory Bird Act. WI DNR still manages both species in 2018. Species Monitoring & Management Species Monitoring - eagles Species Monitoring - eagles Statewide Eagle Survey (2017) -1,590 Occupied territories -69 of 72 Counties Species Monitoring – eagles Mid‐Winter Eagle Survey Numbers by Year 1390 1317 753 Number of Eagles 674 678 636 619 522 464 437 437 441 275 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Year Species Monitoring - ospreys Species Monitoring - ospreys Statewide Osprey Survey (2016) -535 Occupied territories -57 of 72 Counties What did we do bring Eagles & Ospreys back? • We banned
    [Show full text]
  • Osprey Nest Guidance
    Living with Ospreys in New Jersey: A guide for the removal, relocation, and placement of osprey nests :ĂŶƵĂƌLJϮϬϮϬ Photo by Howie Williams In New Jersey, the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, Endangered and Nongame Species Program (ENSP) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) are responsible for the management and conservation of ospreys (Pandion haliaetus). In addition, the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey is a partnering non-profit organization that assists with osprey management and conservation. This document was produced to describe the laws that pertain to the protection of ospreys and their nests and to inform landowners and managers of these regulations to protect the birds, property, and people. We specifically address problematic nests with emphasis on nest removal, relocation and placement of alternative nest sites. These guidelines may be modified to address individual circumstances when in direct consultation with ENSP, USFWS, and USDA–Wildlife Services. Historically, before the effects of DDT caused the state's osprey population to decline, over 500 osprey nests could be found along New Jersey's coastline. Most nests were found on snags (dead trees), trees with broken tops, or on the ground. By 1974 only 50 nests remained (Clark 2004). The effects of DDT in the food chain caused reproduction to fail, and habitat was lost with a rapidly increasing shore population that eliminated many trees and increased ground predator populations. In New Jersey the osprey was listed as state endangered in 1974. Recovery began when DDT use was banned in 1968 in New Jersey and 1972 in the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Birds Accipitridae COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME Osprey Pandion
    Birds Accipitridae COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME Osprey Pandion haliaetus Northern Harrier Hawk Circus cyaneus Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus Cooper’s Hawk Accipiter cooperii Red-shoulder Hawk Buteo jamaicensis Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis Alcedinidae COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME Belted Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon Anatidae COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus Snow Goose Chen caerulescens Canada Goose Branta canadensis Wood Duck Aix sponsa Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata Mallard Anas platyrhynchos American Black Duck Anas rubripes Gadwall Anas strepera Green-winged Teal Anas crecca American Wigeon Anas americana Northern Pintail Anas acuta Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata Blue-winged Teal Anas discors Canvasback Aythya valisineria Redhead Aythya americana Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris Greater Scaup Aythya marila Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis Bufflehead Bucephala albeola Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis Anhingidae COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME Anhinga Anhinga anhinga Apodidae COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica Ardeidae COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Green Heron Butorides virescens Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Snowy Egret Egretta thula Great Egret Ardea alba Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias Bombycillidae COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum Caprimulgidae
    [Show full text]
  • Breeding Biology of Neotropical Accipitriformes: Current Knowledge and Research Priorities
    Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia 26(2): 151–186. ARTICLE June 2018 Breeding biology of Neotropical Accipitriformes: current knowledge and research priorities Julio Amaro Betto Monsalvo1,3, Neander Marcel Heming2 & Miguel Ângelo Marini2 1 Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia, IB, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil. 2 Departamento de Zoologia, IB, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil. 3 Corresponding author: [email protected] Received on 08 March 2018. Accepted on 20 July 2018. ABSTRACT: Despite the key role that knowledge on breeding biology of Accipitriformes plays in their management and conservation, survey of the state-of-the-art and of information gaps spanning the entire Neotropics has not been done since 1995. We provide an updated classification of current knowledge about breeding biology of Neotropical Accipitridae and define the taxa that should be prioritized by future studies. We analyzed 440 publications produced since 1995 that reported breeding of 56 species. There is a persistent scarcity, or complete absence, of information about the nests of eight species, and about breeding behavior of another ten. Among these species, the largest gap of breeding data refers to the former “Leucopternis” hawks. Although 66% of the 56 evaluated species had some improvement on knowledge about their breeding traits, research still focus disproportionately on a few regions and species, and the scarcity of breeding data on many South American Accipitridae persists. We noted that analysis of records from both a citizen science digital database and museum egg collections significantly increased breeding information on some species, relative to recent literature. We created four groups of priority species for breeding biology studies, based on knowledge gaps and threat categories at global level.
    [Show full text]
  • Dietary Breadth and Foraging Habitats of the White- Bellied Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus Leucogaster) on West Australian Islands and Coastal Sites
    Dietary breadth and foraging habitats of the White- bellied Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) on West Australian islands and coastal sites. Presented to the Faculty of the Department of Environmental Science Murdoch University By Shannon Clohessy Bachelor of Science (Biological Sciences and Marine and Freshwater Management) Graduate Diploma of Science (Environmental Management) 2014 1 Declaration I declare that this thesis is a synthesis of my own research and has not been submitted as part of a tertiary qualification at any other institution. ……………………………………….. Shannon Clohessy 2014 2 Abstract This study looks at dietary preference of the Haliaeetus leucogaster in the Houtman Abrolhos and on coastal and near shore islands between Shark Bay and Jurien Bay. Prey species were identified through pellet dissection, which were collected from nests and feeding butcheries, along with prey remains and reference photographs. Data extracted from this process was compared against known prey types for this species. Potential foraging distances were calculated based on congeneric species data and feeding habits and used to calculate foraging habitat in the study sites and expected prey lists to compare against observed finds. Results were compared against similar studies on Haliaeetus leucogaster based in other parts of Australia. 3 Contents Figure list .................................................................................................................................. 6 Tables list ................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]