Prey and Foraging Behavior of Ospreys on Yellowstone Lake, Wyoming
Swenson JE. 1978. Prey and Foraging Behavior of Ospreys on Yellowstone Lake, Wyoming. The Journal of Wildlife Management. 42(1):87-90
Prey and foraging behavior of ospreys(Pandion haliaetus)on Yellowstone Lake was studied in 1973 and 1974. Cutthroat trout(Salmo clarki) comprised 93 percent of the diet, with immature fish (25 to 35 cm) being preferred. Catch rate was 19.7 min/fish in 1973 and 8.8 min/fish in 1974, perhaps due to differences in water levels. Dive success averaged 47 percent and was similar both years. Ospreys foraged over deep water in response to the habitat preference of immature trout. Food availability and interspecific competition for food did not appear to be limiting.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Swenson, Jon
- Units
- YELL
- Keywords
- Animal Studies, Behavior, Birds, Feeding, Fish, Food, Habitats, osprey(Pandion haliaetus), Yellowstone Lake