Breeding diets of four raptor species in the Australian tropics

Abstract

The breeding diets of four diurnal raptor species were studied, by analysis of pellets, prey remains, stomach flushes of trapped birds and feeding observations, in the Top End of the Northern Territory and in the Kimberley region (northern Western Australia) in 1988-89. These were the Black-breasted Buzzard 'Hamirostra melanosternon', Brown Goshawk 'Accipiter fasciatus', Little Eagle 'Hieraaetus morphnoides' and Australian Hobby Falco longipennis. The Buzzard and Brown Goshawk were vertebrate generalists (mammals, birds and reptiles), the former also taking birds' eggs, and the latter also taking many invertebrates. The Little Eagle took mostly birds, with few reptiles and even fewer mammals. The Hobby took small birds and flying insects. This study complements another, concurrent study of the raptor community in the Top End, by characterising the feeding niches of an additional four diurnal species out of the ten now studied in some detail. The remaining 14 species (of the 24 that make up the diurnal raptor assemblage in northern mainland Australia) require further attention in the tropics.