Frequency of Injuries in Three Raptor Species Wintering in Northeastern Arkansas

摘要

It may be reasonable to assume that raptors would likely perish as the result of an injury that potentially impaired their ability to capture prey. We present results from 98 wild-caught raptors that support the converse claim: raptors can and do survive with many types of injuries. We report a conservative injury estimate of 14% for wintering populations of Red-tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis), American Kestrels (Falco sparverius), and Cooper's Hawks (Accip-iter cooperii) in northeastern Arkansas. Injuries in these species included broken or missing talons, ul-cerative pododermatitis (bumblefoot), missing toes, healed wing fractures, and iris damage.