OBSERVATIONS OF WINTERING FERRUGINOUS HAWKS (BUTEO REGALIS) FEEDING ON PRAIRIE DOGS (CYNOMYS LUDOVICIANUS) IN THE TEXAS PANHANDLE

摘要

Ferruginous hawks (Buteo regalis) winter in Texas from the Southern High Plains southwest into the Big Bend region and adjacent northern Mexico (Schmutz & Fyfe 1987; Palmer 1988; Johnsgard 1990; Olendorff 1993). They commonly occur in areas of cultivation but small groups are often observed in association with remnant prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) towns in patches of over-grazed native short-grass prairie. They perch on shrubs or on the ground either in or near the perimeter of towns. Hawks perched on the ground are largely ignored by the prairie dogs (Palmer 1988). While the importance of prairie dogs in this hawk's diet appears apparent, there have been few accounts describing the manner in which prairie dogs are captured and consumed by ferruginous hawks (Olendorff 1993). This report describes the foraging and feeding behavior of ferruginous hawks on prairie dogs in the Texas Panhandle.