Date of Award
5-17-1978
Document Type
Thesis
Abstract
Red-tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) were studied during four winters in central Oklahoma. Most work was devoted to examining population densities, plumage characteristics, and social behavior. Densities of two areas varied from 2.9 to 5.9 redtails per square mile. Redtails were assigned to four fairly distinct subspecies. Social status and niche utilization varied between age groups and subspecies. During the springs and summers of 1975 and 1976, densities, plumage characteristics, nesting habitat, home range, clutch size, nesting success, food habits, molt patterns, and behavior of interior Alaska redtails were investigated. Densities were low and home ranges were large. Alaska redtails preferred white spruce (Picea glauca) for nests. Clutches averaged 1.96 and many nests failed during incubation. Snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus), waterfowl, and red squirrels (Tamiascuirus hudsonicus) were the principal prey. Males initiated the molt before and completed the molt after females. Nesting behavior and success differed considerably in 1975 and 1976.
Recommended Citation
Lowe, Craig McCulloh, "Certain life history aspects of the red-tailed hawk in central Oklahoma and interior Alaska" (1978). Biological Sciences. 525.
https://ualaska.researchcommons.org/uaf_grad_bio_sciences/525
Handle
http://hdl.handle.net/11122/16294