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Habitat use and activity patterns of red-tailed hawks in occupied and historic Puerto Rican parrot habitat

Posted on:2006-12-05Degree:M.SType:Thesis
University:Mississippi State UniversityCandidate:Nimitz, Wyatt ForrestFull Text:PDF
GTID:2450390008971855Subject:Agriculture
Abstract/Summary:
I quantified abundance, distribution, home range, movements, habitat use, survival and nesting density of Red-tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis jamaicensis, RTHA) and interactions with Puerto Rican Parrots (Amazona vittata, PRPA) in the Caribbean National Forest (CNF), Puerto Rico.; RTHA population estimates from roadside and point count surveys were 257.7 and 145.6, respectively. Fixed kernel 95% and 50% mean home range (HR) sizes were 5,022.6 ha and 564.8 ha, respectively. Mean weekly movement (MWM = 3063.1 m) and average maximum distance traveled (9373 m) was large. RTHAs exhibited significant attraction to roadside habitats. Monthly survival estimates were 0.98--0.95 for adult and juvenile RTHAs. Nesting density was 1 pair/2.53 km2. Static interaction correlated movements of 3 RTHAs and 6 PRPAs. High densities, wide ranging capabilities, extensive HR overlap and high survival of RTHAs, and high degree of RTHA-PRPA depredation and interaction suggested RTHAs may be limiting PRPA recovery in the CNF.
Keywords/Search Tags:Rthas, Puerto
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