Nesting ecology of Common Black-Hawks in relation to landscape features.

摘要

Despite considerable conservation interest, the Common Black-Hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus) and its breeding ecology remain understudied in its United States range. I studied the nest-site preference and nesting success of pairs breeding in the Cliff-Gila Valley, New Mexico, during 2000-01. Using data from 39 breeding attempts in 31 nests of 22 pairs, I modeled differences in nest locations relative to landscape features between nests and available non-used sites, reused and non-reused nests, and successful and unsuccessful nests. I found that Common Black-Hawk nests were in larger riparian forest patches, farther from open areas, and closer to water than non-used sites. I found no relationship between nest reuse and landscape features, but found that successful nests were in larger patches than unsuccessful nests. Correlations of nest success and nest-site preference indicated that birds had higher nest success in preferred nest sites. Although limited to one study area and two breeding seasons, these data contribute to our growing understanding of this little-studied raptor.