Feeding ecology and specialist diet of critically endangered Ridgway's Hawks

Ridgway's Hawks (Buteo ridgwayi) are critically endangered forest raptors endemic to the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, with ～100 pairs remaining in the world. The species is ecologically little known yet such studies are important for understanding critical habitat needs and population dynamics. We studied the provisioning behavior of adults at 22 nests on the northeast coast of the Dominican Republic from 2005 to 2008. Mean brood size was 1.80 ± 0.45, and the mean number of fledglings per nest was 1.10 ± 0.97. We found that 80% of the prey items delivered to nestlings were reptiles, with lizards accounting for 65% of the prey and those in the genus Celestus accounting for nearly 35% of prey. Other prey items included snakes (14%), rats (9%), and smaller proportions of birds, frogs, and centipedes. The number of prey items and amount of biomass delivered to nestlings did not vary with brood size, but adults delivered more prey to 3‐ to 5‐week‐old nestlings and more biomass to 5‐week‐old nestlings. Food delivery rates did not differ between successful or failed nests, suggesting that food availability did not influence nest outcome. Given that most prey items delivered to nestlings in our study were reptiles, conservation strategies developed for Ridgway's Hawks (e.g., translocations and habitat conservation) should take into consideration their specialist reptile diet.     

Isolation of microsatellite loci from the common buzzard,Buteo buteo (Aves: Accipitridae)

We isolated 56 common buzzard (Buteo buteo) microsatellite loci from (AC)_n‐ and (AAAG)_n‐enriched genomic libraries. Eleven loci were tested on 90 individuals from Eastern Westphalia in Germany, yielding two to 17 alleles per locus (average 5.7) and expected heterozygosities ranging from 0.11 to 0.93 (average 0.53). These highly variable microsatellite markers provide a powerful means for investigating population genetic diversity in the common buzzard, a little‐understood aspect of this widespread species.     

PROCLAMATION

Natural hybridisation in Old World buzzards (Buteo) is an uncommon phenomenon with important ecological implications. This genus constitutes an intricate radiation of genetically poorly differentiated raptors whose taxonomic classification is a frequent subject of debate. We report the first case of successful hybridisation between the African subspecies of the Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus cirtensis and Common Buzzard Buteo buteo buteo in a new contact zone in the Strait of Gibraltar (southern Spain). The hybrid offspring showed mixed characters from parental species indicating that, among others, hybridisation could explain the increasing presence of phenotypically odd reddish buzzards in southern Spain and northern Morocco. Given their close phylogenetic relation and their recently reduced allopatry, an increase in the hybridisation rate, fertile descendants and genetic introgression seem to be viable. We identify the potential contact zones where genetic monitoring is needed to gain insight on the real extent of this hybridisation and its possible effects on the current climate change scenario.     

Variation at phenological candidate genes correlates with timing of dispersal and plumage morph in a sedentary bird of prey

Polymorphic genes involved in the conserved molecular signalling of circadian and circannual clocks may play important roles in governing the timing of breeding and dispersal and thereby affect fitness in vertebrates. However, relatively few studies have explored associations between phenological candidate genes and behaviour, and these are somewhat biased towards particular taxonomic groups such as passerine birds and salmonid fish. Consequently, we assayed microsatellite polymorphisms within the exonic and 3′ untranslated regions of the regulatory genes CLOCK, NPAS2, ADCYAP1 and CREB1 in the common buzzard (Buteo buteo), a polymorphic raptor species with three plumage morphs that differ in key life history traits including lifetime reproductive success. In contrast to studies of passerines, CLOCK poly‐glutamine (poly‐Q) was found to be monomorphic in 976 common buzzard nestlings as well as in three other Buteo species. Moreover, none of the candidate genes were significantly associated with fledging dates, although intermediately melanized females were found to lay earlier on average than light or dark morph individuals, and their offspring carried longer ADCYAP1 alleles. In contrast, all three candidate genes explained significant variation in one or more measures of juvenile buzzard dispersal (resighting probability, timing of dispersal and distance dispersed). Our findings contribute towards a broader body of work on the adaptive significance of CLOCK polymorphism, while also building upon previous studies that have documented links between ADCYAP1 variability and the timing of migration.     

内蒙古达赉湖西岸地区大鵟巢穴特征和巢址选择

2010年和2011年3月-6月,对内蒙古达赉湖国家级保护区达赉湖西岸地区大鵟(Buteo hemilasius)的巢穴结构和巢址选择因子进行了调查研究.采用野外观察和样方法定位了13个大鵟巢址,并对巢址样方的20个生态因子进行测量,运用主成分分析法对影响大鵟巢址选择的主要因子进行了分析.测量显示,大鵟巢穴的基本结构特征为:外径(94.7+4.2) cm;巢高度(46.1±2.7) cm;内径(24.8±1.5)cm;巢深(14.0±+0.9)cm.生境因子分析结果表明,达赉湖西岸地区大鵟的巢集中分布在湖岸或水塘附近的悬崖,营巢点坡度为15°-45°之间的阳坡或半阳坡;隐蔽度高于20％;草本密度大于5株/m2;植被均高大于30cm;巢距悬崖上部距离2-5m;距水源l00m以内;距居民点距离大于lkm;距草原道路的距离大于0.5km;而对于物种丰富度没有特殊要求.主成分分析显示,影响大鵟巢址选择的主要因子有3个,依次为:隐蔽性因子(主要包括巢址区域的植物特征和地形特征)、干扰因子和食物因子.各主成分中,相对系数绝对值最高的变量依次是:植被盖度、距居民点距离、巢的高度和距草原道路距离.     

The ‘chaotic’ flight feather moult of the Steppe Buzzard Buteo buteo vulpinus

Steppe Buzzards breed in Eurasia and spend the non-breeding season in Africa. Adults moult some flight feathers during the breeding season and some during the non-breeding season. Moult is arrested during migration. The extent of moult of flight feathers in adults is highly variable between individuals in southern Africa, with the renewal of two primaries, three secondaries and five rectrices as the most frequently encountered pattern. Time spent on the non-breeding grounds in South Africa is too short to allow for a sequential moult. Moult of flight feathers is restricted to the almost synchronous dropping of a number of feathers upon arrival, with few being replaced subsequently. Any of the flight feathers can be replaced in southern Africa, and the pattern of renewal in primaries and secondaries cannot be distinguished from random. Tail feathers are replaced in an alternating (transilient) pattern. Moult in the non-breeding areas may primarily be complementary to moult on the breeding grounds, but these two partial moults per year are insufficient to renew all flight feathers annually. Middle secondaries and central tail feathers are regularly carried over to a third moult, but this is rare for primaries.     

Role of exotic tree stands on the current distribution and social behaviour of Swainson's hawk, Buteo swainsoni in the Argentine Pampas

Aim The Argentine Pampas was extensively and abruptly altered by European colonization. Between 1880 and 1885 the indigenous human inhabitants were completely displaced, and native grasslands were replaced by exotic pasture plants and crops. One of the most important ecological changes in the Pampas landscape, the introduction of tall exotic tree species, has received little attention, and its effect on wildlife has never been assessed. We have made an intensive survey of habitat use of Swainson's hawk, Buteo swainsoni in its most important non‐breeding quarters, the Pampas of Argentina, aiming to characterize the sites used by hawks for communal roosting. Location Pampas grasslands, Argentina. Methods We surveyed 30,000 km of roads by car during the austral summer from 2001 to 2004, covering the main non‐breeding area occupied by Swainson's hawks. Their roost sites were located by direct observation of birds roosting in tree stands close to the roads, by surveying potential roost sites around places where groups of pre‐ and post‐roosting hawks were recorded, and by gathering information from local farmers. Results Swainson's hawks exclusively used stands of exotic tree species for roosting. Eucalyptus viminalis was present in all 34 roosts surveyed, and in 59% of them it was the only species present. The remaining exotic tree species were the Siberian elm, Ulmus pumila, pines (Pinus spp.) and cypress (Cupressus spp.). Flock sizes at roost sites were unusually high for a raptor, with an average of 658 individuals (range 8–5000 hawks, n = 27 flocks). Main conclusions The introduction of exotic trees may have resulted in the expansion of the suitable habitat for Swainson's hawks, permitting a recent colonization of the Argentine Pampas. Tree stands may have also changed the communal roosting behaviour of this raptor, by virtue of their providing new structural elements in a region that almost completely lacked trees prior to European occupation.     

Correlates of survival in Swainson's hawks breeding in northern California

We used a 30-year study of breeding Swainson's hawks (Buteo swainsoni) in northern California to examine correlates of adult apparent survival using multistate models in Program MARK. Specifically, we examined age-related patterns in adult apparent survival and how adult survival was correlated with average annual nest productivity, annual reproductive output, western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis) density around nest sites, distance to agriculture, and amount of agriculture within a territory. Annual estimates of adult survival varied from 0.85 to 0.9 (SE = 0.02). There were no indications of senescence or other patterns of age-related changes in adult apparent survival. Adult survival was inversely correlated with average reproductive output, with individuals producing >2 offspring having decreased survival, reflecting a possible trade-off between reproduction and survival. Conversely, reproduction in any year was positively correlated with survival, providing evidence of individual quality influencing adult survival. The distance an individual had to travel to agriculture, where most individuals forage, was negatively related to survival. Primary productivity within the average Swainson's hawk territory was positively correlated with adult survival. Our results indicate that individuals may have higher survival and fitness in areas with high proportions of irrigated agriculture that provides high prey densities, particularly alfalfa. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.     

Occupancy Models of Nesting-Season Habitat Associations of Red-Shouldered Hawks in Central Minnesota

ABSTRACT Red-shouldered hawks (Buteo lineatus) are a species of special conservation concern in much of the Great Lakes region, and apparent population declines are thought to be primarily due to habitat loss and alteration. To evaluate red-shouldered hawk-habitat associations during the nesting season and at the landscape scale, we conducted repeated call-broadcast surveys in central Minnesota, USA, across 3 landscapes that represented a range of landscape conditions as a result of differing management practices. In 2004, we conducted repeated call-broadcast surveys at 131 locations in 2 study areas, and in 2005, we surveyed 238 locations in 3 study areas. We developed models relating habitat characteristics at 2 spatial scales to red-shouldered hawk occupancy and assessed support for these models in an information-theoretic framework. Overall, a small proportion of nonforest (grass, clear-cut area, forest <5 yr old), and a large proportion of mature deciduous forest (>40 yr old), had the strongest association with red-shouldered hawk occupancy (proportion of sites occupied) at both spatial scales. The landscape conditions we examined appeared to contain a habitat transition important to red-shouldered hawks. We found, in predominately forest landscapes, the amount of open habitat was most strongly associated with red-shouldered hawk occupancy, but in landscapes that included slightly less mature forest and more extensive open habitats, the extent of mature deciduous forest was most strongly associated with red-shouldered hawk occupancy. Our results suggested that relatively small (<5 ha) patches of open habitat (clear-cuts) in otherwise forested landscapes did not appear to influence red-shouldered hawk occupancy. Whereas, in an otherwise similar landscape, with smaller amounts of mature deciduous forest and larger (>15 ha) patches of open habitat, red-shouldered hawk occupancy decreased, suggesting a threshold in landscape composition, based on both the amount of mature forest and open area, is important in managing forest landscapes for red-shouldered hawks. Our results show that during the nesting season, red-shouldered hawks in central Minnesota occupy at similar rates landscapes with different habitat compositions resulting from different management strategies and that management strategies that create small openings may not negatively affect red-shouldered hawk occupancy.     

大(狂鸟)和长耳鸮的部分血液生理生化指标及血细胞的显微结构观察

为了解大（狂鸟）（Buteohemilasius）、长耳鸮（Asiootus）的血象、血液生理生化参数正常值及血细胞的形态特征,为其健康检测和保护提供参考资料,采用纽巴氏法、沙利氏比色法、离心法、瑞士染色等方法检测了大（狂鸟）和长耳鸮的血象,利用全自动血液生物化学分析仪测定了两种鸟的19项血液生化指标,利用生物显微技术对其血细胞进行观察。结果表明：大（狂鸟）的红细胞数量、红细胞压积、红细胞分布宽度、血红蛋白含量、平均血红蛋白浓度、嗜酸性粒细胞数量、淋巴细胞数量、白细胞数量及凝血细胞数量均高于长耳鸮,而其他指标均低于长耳鸮;其中,红细胞平均体积在两种鸟类间存在极显著性差异（P〈0.01）,其他均无显著性差异（P〉0.05）。在生理生化检测中,大（狂鸟）的谷草转氨酶、总蛋白含量、白蛋白含量、球蛋白含量、总胆固醇、甘油三酯和葡萄糖含量均高于长耳鸮,且大（狂鸟）的无机离子中的钠和氯离子浓度也高于长耳鸮,而其他指标均低于长耳鸮,其中谷丙转氨酶和肌酐具有极显著性差异（P〈0.01）,尿酸和葡萄糖具有显著性差异（P〈0.05）,其他指标均无显著性差异（P〉0.05）。大（狂鸟）和长耳鸮的血细胞形态相似。种属不同及生活习性的差异可能是导致这两种鸟类血液生理常值差别及显微结构差异的主要原因,而采样时的机体状况、营养状况及测试操作方法也有一定的影响。