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Opportunistic predation by a broad-winged hawk on a southern flying squirrel

Formally Refereed

Abstract

Broad-winged Hawks (Buteo platypterus) take a wide variety of prey, including numerous small mammal species (Rusch and Doerr 1972; Fitch 1974; Mosher and Matray 1974; Rosenfield et al. 1984; and Toland 1986). Flying squirrels (Glaucomys spp.) are probably not regular prey of diurnal raptors due to the squirrel's nocturnal habits (Davis 1974); however, some overlap in raptor and squirrel activity may occur at dawn and dusk. Mosher and Matray (1974) reported a northern flying squirrel (G. sabrinus) brought to a Broad-winged Hawk nest in the Central Adirondacks in New York. Rosenfield et al. (1984) also give an account of a flying squirrel (not identified to species) being brought to a Broadwinged Hawk nest in Lincoln County, Wisconsin. No accounts of Broad-winged Hawks preying on southern flying squirrels (G. volans) have ever been documented.

Keywords

broad-winged hawk, southern flying squirrel, predation

Citation

Saenz, Daniel; Schaefer, Richard R. 1995. Opportunistic predation by a broad-winged hawk on a southern flying squirrel. Bulletin of the Texas Ornithological Society. 28(2):60-61.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/43245