Migration and Ranging of Peregrine Falcons Wintering on the Gulf of Mexico Coast, Tamaulipas, Mexico

Abstract Movements of 11 female and 1 male adult Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus) wintering in coastal Gulf of Mexico, Tamaulipas, Mexico, were monitored with satellite-received transmitters (PTTs), 1997–1998. Median areas for minimum convex polygon winter home ranges at 50% and 90% levels (both...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Condor
Main Authors: McGrady, Michael J., Maechtle, Thomas L., Vargas, Juan J., Seegar, William S., Porras Peña, M. Catalina
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Oxford University Press (OUP) 2002
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Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/condor/104.1.39
http://academic.oup.com/condor/article-pdf/104/1/39/29710803/condor0039.pdf
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Summary:Abstract Movements of 11 female and 1 male adult Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus) wintering in coastal Gulf of Mexico, Tamaulipas, Mexico, were monitored with satellite-received transmitters (PTTs), 1997–1998. Median areas for minimum convex polygon winter home ranges at 50% and 90% levels (both years) were 1173 and 8311 ha, respectively. Most birds left wintering grounds in the first week of May. Duration of northward migration averaged 30 days. Distances between capture location and summer settling place were between 4580 and 5844 km; birds traversed 40.4–46.4 degrees of latitude. Birds summered between far western Canada and coastal west Greenland. One was followed to the same summering ground in both years. Autumnal migration routes were through the middle of the continent, and initiated in August and September. Falcons arrived on wintering grounds in September and October, averaging 40 days to make the journey. PTT data and capture locations of birds trapped in more than 1 year suggest fidelity to wintering areas, although perhaps not particular winter home ranges. Migración y Áreas de Ocurrencia de Halcones Peregrinos Invernantes en la Costa del Golfo de México, Tamaulipas, México Resumen. Entre 1997 y 1998, se monitorearon con transmisores de satellite (PTTs) los movimientos de 12 halcones peregrinos adultos (Falco peregrinus; 11 hembras y 1 macho) invernando en la costa del Golfo de México, Tamaulipas, México. Se utilizaron niveles de precisión del 50% y 90% en los polígonos mínimos estimados para describir los hambitos hogareños de invernada (en ambos años); éstos fueron de 1173 y 8311 ha, respectivamente. La mayoría de las aves abandonaron las areas de invernada en la primera semana de mayo. La duración de la migración hacia el Norte promedió 30 días. Las distancias entre los lugares donde las aves fueron capturadas y donde se establecieron en el verano variaron entre 4580 y 5844 km; así que éstas recorrieron entre 40.4 y 46.4 grados de latitud. Los halcones pasaron el verano entre el lejano oeste ...