Diet, prey delivery rates, and prey biomass of Northern Goshawks in East-Central Arizona

摘要: Recent concern over persistence of Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) populations in Arizona has stemmed from two long-term demography studies that report substantial yearly fl uctuations productivity and evidence a declining population. Although many factors could be involved changes population declines, availability food is one such factor. As part study on the Sitgreaves portion Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest Arizona, we used remote cameras to assess diets goshawks. Goshawks preyed upon 22 species during nesting seasons. Adult pairs tended specialize particular prey. Prey delivery rates decreased throughout season with corresponding increase biomass latter stages nestling edgling periods. Adults appeared take larger prey as nestlings increased age.