Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/23371
Title: Breeding biology, behaviour and foraging ecology of the Black Falcon Falco subniger near Tamworth, New South Wales
Contributor(s): Debus, Steve J S  (author); Bauer, A L (author); Mitchell, G I (author)
Publication Date: 2017
Open Access: Yes
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/23371
Abstract: The breeding biology and behaviour of the Black Falcon Falco subniger were studied in the Tamworth district (northern inland New South Wales) through 146 hours of observation over 47 days in 2015 (one pair, pre-laying to early incubation) and 261 hours of observation over 69 days in 2016 (four pairs, pre-laying to fledging, with checks through the post-fledging period). Pellets were collected from under vacated nests. Aerial displays (e.g. agility, V-dives, 'undulatory roll,' 'high winnowing'), nest-site selection and occupation, courtship and mating are described. Adopted stick nests were high in tall or emergent riparian or paddock eucalypts; nearest-neighbour distances averaged 10.25 km (range 9-12 km). Eggs were laid in July, and the incubation period appeared to be 34 ± 1 days at one nest. Males took a minor share of incubation (1-3% of daylight) and brooding of hatchlings (1%). Interspecific conflict or nest-site defence was strongest against corvids in the pre-laying phase, and against Wedge-tailed Eagles Aquila audax during the nestling phase. Feeding rates and estimated biomass provision were 0.09-0.26 item/h and ~4–28 g/h at nests that failed during the incubation or hatchling phase, and 0.19 item/h and ~23 g/h to a single nestling that fledged, albeit underweight. Nest failure appeared to be related to cold, wet weather and poor hunting success around hatching time. Breeding productivity was 0.25 young per attempt in 2015-16, and 0.5-0.6 young per attempt for 10 nests since 2004, with up to half of fledglings failing to reach independence. The observed breeding diet was 98% birds and 2% rodents, although insects appeared in pellets. Hunting success on birds was 36% of observed attacks. Demographic and ecological research on this species is required. As the threatened and declining Black Falcon faces human-related impacts in the sheep-wheat belt, some possible management strategies are suggested (e.g. artificial nests).
Publication Type: Journal Article
Source of Publication: Corella, v.41, p. 71-82
Publisher: Australian Bird Study Association Inc
Place of Publication: Australia
ISSN: 2203-4420
0155-0438
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: 060809 Vertebrate Biology
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: 310914 Vertebrate biology
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: 960806 Forest and Woodlands Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: 180606 Terrestrial biodiversity
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal
Appears in Collections:Journal Article
School of Environmental and Rural Science

Files in This Item:
6 files
File Description SizeFormat 
open/SOURCE02.pdfPost-peer review version841.91 kBAdobe PDF
Download Adobe
View/Open
Show full item record

Page view(s)

1,246
checked on Mar 17, 2024

Download(s)

290
checked on Mar 17, 2024
Google Media

Google ScholarTM

Check


Items in Research UNE are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.