A comparison of raptor densities and habitat use in Kansas cropland and rangeland ecosystems

• Main Authors: Williams, Christopher K., Applegate, Roger D., Lutz, R. Scott, Rusch, Donald H.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Journal of Raptor Research 2000
• Subjects: Northern Harrier; Circus cyaneus; Red-tailed Hawk; Buteo jamaicensis; American kestrel; Falco sparverius; cropland; cover type selection; density; line transect; rangeland; life on land
• Online Access: https://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/33329

This article was originally published in Journal of Raptor Research 34(3):203-209. The version of record is available at: DOI URL. © 2000 The Raptor Research Foundation, Inc. We counted raptors on line transects along roads to assess densities, species diversity, and habitat selection of winter raptors between cropland and rangeland habitats in eastern Kansas. We conducted counts every 2 wk between September-March 1994-98. Species diversity indices did not differ between the two habitats (P -- 0.15). We calculated density estimates and cover type selection for Red- tailed Hawks (Buteojamaicensis), Northern Harriers (Circus cyaneus), and American Kestrels (Falco sparv- erius). Red-tailed Hawks and Northern Harrier densities were higher in cropland, while kestrel densities did not differ between the two habitats. All three species across both habitats had a general preference for idleland habitat. We believe three factors could explain the higher raptor densities in cropland: increased prey abundance, increased visibility of prey associated with harvested agriculture fields, and/ or a higher relative amount of preferred hunting habitat. We thank G. Horak, J. Stephen, R. Powers, M. Paradise, K. Church, C. Roy, and A. Schleicher for assisting with counts; and J.R. Cary and M.L. Williams who provided data analysis advice.The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Federal Aid Project No. W-39-R,Wisconsin Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, the University of Wisconsin, Emporia Area Chapter of Quail Unlimited, and the Max McGraw Foundation helped fund this research.