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Gyrfalcon Harassing a Snow-Y Ow-I by Don Shanahan

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Gyrfalcon Harassing a Snow-Y Ow-I by Don Shanahan 80 Sodhi, N.S., L. W. Oliphant, P.C. James,- and Temple, S.A. 1972a. Systematics and evolution 1. G. Warkentin. 1993. Merlin (Falco of the North American Merlins. Auk 89: columbarius). In A. Poole and F. Gill (Eds.). 325-338. The Birds of North America. Number 44. The Temple, S.A. 1972b. Sex and age characteristics Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, of North American Merlins. Bird-Banding 43: and The American Ornithologists' Union, 191-196. Washington, D.C. Wormington, A. 1986. An observation of a Swarth, H.S. 1935. Systematic status of some ,'Richardson's Merlin" in Ontario. Ontario northwestern birds. Condor 37: 199-204. Birds 4: 62-64. Taverner, P.A. 1937. Birds of Canada. The National Museum of Canada. Ottawa. Ron Pittaway, Box 619, Minden, Ontario KOM 2KO Notes Gyrfalcon Harassing a Snow-y Ow-I by Don Shanahan On 7 March 1993, three companions to 70 m south of our position. and I were driving a concession road Suddenly, the Gyrfalcon appeared, on the west end of Amherst Island, again flying close to the ground, and near Kingston. Suddenly, a low-flying flew directly at the Snowy Owl. This dark phase Gyrfalcon (Falco owl didn't flinch, and at the last rusticolus) flew directly at a Snowy second the Gyrfalcon veered slightly Owl (Nyctea scandiaca) perched on a upward to miss the owl. The Snowy large rock in a pasture, 60 to 70 m remained perched, and the Gyrfalcon south of us. Although no contact was flew away and was lost from sight. made, the Gyrfalcon came very close No vocalizations were heard in either to the owl. As a result, the Snowy episode. fluttered awkwardly into the air and Wondering if this was a common then landed again on its rock perch. interaction between these dominant The Gyrfalcon flew away. Arctic raptors, I referred to the Backtracking east, we looked for literature. I found no information on the Gyrfalcon, and stopped ten confrontations between Gyrfalcons minutes later overlooking another and Snowy Owls either on the pasture. A second Snowy Owl breeding or wintering grounds. perched on a two metre pole some 60 However, one article (Cade 1953) ONTARIO BIRDS AUGUST 1994 81 reported a juvenal Gyrfalcon in Reports of Gyrfalcon/Snowy Owl Alaska making abortive stoop attacks interactions in Ontario are no doubt on a variety of raptors (not including rare because of the low likelihood of Snowy Owls), as well as Herring the species encountering one another Gulls (Larus argentatus) and Red­ or being observed. Nevertheless, if throated Loons (Gavia stellata). the species apparently don't interact Subsequently, I contacted birders on northern breeding grounds who have observed Gyrfalcons perhaps a different set of parameters overwintering in the Ottawa area. apply on southern wintering grounds. This produced only one reported Dramatic but contact-free displays instance of a Gyrfalcon buzzing a could involve food protection, the Snowy Owl (J. Harris, pers. comm.). defence of winter territories, or other Stewart MacDonald (pers. comm.) factors. Whatever the reason, this type of interaction between informed that he had never witnessed Gyrfalcons and Snowy Owls warrants an interaction between many further study. Gyrfalcons and Snowy Owls seen in close proximity in the Arctic. Acknowledgements Bruce Mactavish (pers. comm.) I thank Bruce Mactavish, Jim Harris, reported seeing three close range Bruce DiLabio, Stewart MacDonald clashes between Gyrfalcons and and Cameron Eckert for providing Snowy Owls overwintering in Newfoundland. In two cases, white information on Gyrfalcons. Ron Gyrfalcons initiated attacks. The third Pittaway and Bob Curry helped with case saw a Snowy Owl drive a dark the literature review. phase Gyrfalcon off prey. The first two instances involved much vocalization, and in all three cases Literature cited there was no physical contact Cade, T.]. 1953. Behavior of a young Gyrfalcon. Wilson Bulletin 65: 26-31. between combatants. Don Shanahan, Box 519, Brighton, Ontario KOK lRO Book Review Peregrine Falcons. 1992. By Candace Savage. Douglas & McIntyre, Toronto. (Hardcover) 145 pp. $35.00. "Peregrine Falcons" is a slim, colour photographs by a wide variety beautiful coffee table book detailing of wildlife photographers and the biology of peregrine falcons, and peregrine falcon researchers are recovery efforts, in Canada. The beautiful, breathtaking, and VOLUME 12 NUMBER 2.
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