SUMMER DIET OF THE PEREGRINE FALCON IN FAUNISTICALLY RICH AND POOR ZONES OF ARIZONA ANALYZED WITH CAPTURE-RECAPTURE MODELING

• Main Authors: David H Ellis, Catherine H Ellis, Beth Ann Sabo, Amadeo M Rea, James Dawson, James K Fackler, Charles T Larue, Teryl G Grubb, John Schmitt, Dwight G Smith, Marc Ké Ry
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: Eyrie; Falco peregrinus; peregrine falcon
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.1080.8886; http://www.globalraptors.org/grin/researchers/uploads/476/summer_diet_2004.pdf

Abstract. We collected prey remains from 25 Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) territories across Arizona from 1977 to 1988 yielding 58 eyrie-years of data. Along with 793 individual birds (107 species and six additional genera), we found seven mammals and nine insects. In addition, two nestling peregrines were consumed. We found a larger dependence upon White-throated Swifts (Aeronautes saxatalis) and birds on migration in northern Arizona, while in southeastern and central Arizona average prey mass was greater and columbiforms formed the largest dietary component. In northern, central, and southeastern Arizona, 74, 66, and 56 avian prey taxa, respectively, were recorded. We used capture-recapture modeling to estimate totals of 111 Ϯ 9.5, 113 Ϯ 10.5, and 86 Ϯ 7.9 (SE) avian taxa taken in these same three areas. These values are counterintuitive inasmuch as the southeast has the richest avifauna. For the entire study area, 156 Ϯ 9.3 avian taxa were estimated to be taken by peregrines. Key words: Arizona, diet, Falco peregrinus, Peregrine Falcon, prey. Dieta Estival de Falco peregrinus en Arizona Comparando Zonas Ricas y Pobres en Avifauna Mediante un Modelo de Captura-Recaptura Resumen. Desde 1977 a 1988 colectamos restos de presas en 58 nidos de Falco peregrinus a través de Arizona. Conjuntamente con 793 aves individuales (107 especies y seis géneros adicionales), encontramos siete mamíferos y nueve insectos. Además, fueron consumidos dos pichones de Falco peregrinus. En la zona norte encontramos una mayor dependencia sobre Aeronautes saxatalis y aves en migración, mientras que en las zonas sureste y central la masa promedio de presa fue más grande y los columbiformes constituyeron el componente principal de la dieta de Falco peregrinus. En las zonas norte, central y sureste se registraron 74, 66 y 56 taxa de aves presa, respectivamente. Para estimar el número total de taxa capturados por Falco peregrinus usamos un modelo de captura-recaptura. Los valores calculados fueron 111 Ϯ 9.5, 113 Ϯ 10.5 y 86 Ϯ 7.9 (EE) ...