First data on feeding ecology of Goshawk Accipiter gentilis during the breeding season in the natura 2000 site Dunas de Mira, Gândara e Gafanhas (Beira Litoral, Portugal)

• Main Authors: Petronilho, João M. S., Vingada, José V.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Spea 2002
• Subjects: Goshawk; Feding ecology; Breeding season; Mira; Accipiter gentilis
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1822/2672

This study describes the diet of the Goshwak Accipiter gentilis within littoral ecosystems dominated by pine trees. Samples were collected during the breeding season of 2001 in Dunas de Mira, Gândara e Gafanhas, located in the littoral centre of Portugal and recently included in the Portuguese Natura 2000 network (PTCON 055). Diet composition was assessed from the analysis of 89 pellets and 154 prey remains, collected between the 15th of April and the 25th of July of 2001. Birds represented 86.6% of the total prey items. The remaining prey items were coleoptera (6.5%), mammals (3.6%) and reptiles (3.3%). In terms of biomass birds comprised 90.9%, followed by mammals (7.3%), reptiles (1.7%) and coleoptera (0.05%). Results show that this raptor has a predominantly ornitophagous diet. Domestic pigeon Columba livia var is the most important prey in this area both in terms of frequency and biomass (42.2% and 49.9%, respectively). During the breeding season the diet of the Goshawk is largely connected to Man. Este trabalho pretendeu obter informação relativa à ecologia trófica do Açor Accipiter gentilis, de modo a tentar compreender o papel desempenhado por esta espécie de ave de rapina em ecossistemas litorais. O estudo decorreu durante a época de nidificação de 2001, na área do Sítio das "Dunas de Mira, Gândara e Gafanhas", recentemente incluÌdo na Rede Natura 2000 (PTCON 055). A composição do regime alimentar foi estudada com base em 89 regurgitaÁıes e 153 restos de presas, recolhidas entre 15 de Abril e 25 de Julho de 2001. As aves representaram 86,6% do total de presas consumidas, os coleópteros 6,5%, os mamíferos 3,6% e os répteis 3,3%. Em termos de biomassa, as aves continuam a ter um papel predominante representando 90,9% da biomassa consumida, seguidas pelos mamÌferos (7,3%), répteis (1,7%) e coleópteros (0,05%). Na área de estudo o Açor tem um comportamento alimentar predominantemente ornitófago, sendo o pombo doméstico Columba livia var a presa mais importante, tanto em termos numéricos como em biomassa ...