Riparian Raptor Breeding Season Report, Big Bend National Park, Texas 2016
Sirotnak SM. 2016. Riparian Raptor Breeding Season Report, Big Bend National Park, Texas 2016. Big Bend National Park, TX
The following report summarizes the breeding activity of riparian raptors during the summer of 2016 in Big Bend National Park, Brewster County, Texas. Efforts were focused on two Species of Concern due to their vulnerability to disturbance and loss of riparian habitat, the Common Black-Hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus) and the Gray Hawk (Buteo plagiatus). During the 2016 breeding season, a total of 130 visits were made to nesting territories. There were five territorial pairs, six occupied nests, and four successful nests by three raptor species. Of those, two successful nests were recorded for Common Black-Hawks with two possible fledged young and one successful nest was recorded for Gray Hawks with two possible fledged young. In addition, one successful nest was recorded for Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) with one possible fledged young. Management goals and conservation efforts should be aimed at maintaining the quality of riparian habitat and adjacent mesquite woodland needed for these Species of Concern.
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- Sirotnak, Stacy
- Date of Issue
- 2016-09
- Units
- BIBE
- Keywords
- Animal Studies, Big Bend National Park, Birds, breeding season, Buteo plagiatus, Buteo swainsoni, Buteogallus anthracinus, Common Black-Hawk, Gray Hawk, Hawks, raptor breeding, Raptors, Riparian habitat, Swainson's Hawk
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Birds