Aspects of the Nutritional Ecology of the Red-Shouldered Hawk (Buteo Lineatus Lineatus) in Southwestern Quebec
ASPECTS OF THE NUTRITIONAL ECOLOGY OF THE REDSHOULDERED HAWK (Buteo lineatus lineatus) IN SOUTHWESTERN QUEBEC.
Red-shouldered Hawks were studied for two seasons to determine the diet composition and to measure the effect of brood size on the feeding frequency by the parents. Some aspects of their growth were quantified and the effect of specific body parameters and forms of nest attendance were studied. Adults brought a wide variety of prey items to the nestlings with significantly more mammal prey delivered in 1980 than in 1979. This annual variation of the two main prey types may be related to winter weather conditions prior to each nesting season. The total weight of prey delivered in the 4-hour observation blocks was negatively correlated with the number of prey deliveries in small (1 or 2 young) and large (3 or 4 young) broods. Larger broods received significantly more prey than smaller broods. However individuals of the largest natural brood size (4 young) were not fed as much as individuals of the most common brood size (3 young). The growth of bill, tarsus and tail feather length were significantly different in broods of 3 compared to broods of 1. No difference was found for wing feather growth or weight gain between the two brood sizes. Nest attendance in terms of frequency of broodig and delivery of greenery to the nest, was greater in broods of 3 compared to broods of 1. A combination of increased brooding, delivery of greenery and prey in broods of 3 compared to broods of 1, probably accounted for the differences in growth of certain body parameters. Penak, Brenda L., 1982.
Aspects of the Nutritional Ecology of the Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus lineatus) in Southwestern Quebec. MSc. Thesis, Macdonald College of McGill University, Ste.-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec
