Breeding behaviour and diet of a pair of black falcons 'Falco subniger' in northern New South Wales

Abstract

The breeding behaviour and diet of a family of Black Falcons 'Falco subniger' were studied by 65 hours' observation during the nestling and post-fledging periods, and by analysis of prey remains and pellets, near Tamworth on the North-west Slopes of New South Wales in August-October 2004. Bynumber of prey items (n =80) the Falcons' diet consisted of 55% birds, 41% grasshoppers (Acridoidea) and 4% Rabbits 'Oryctolagus cuniculus', of which Galahs 'Cacatua roseicapilla' (11%), pigeons (10%), Common Starlings 'Stumus vulgaris' (10%) and parrots (9%) were frequent prey. By biomass the Falcons' diet consisted of 91% birds , 8% Rabbits, and < 1% grasshoppers, of which Galahs (36%), pigeons (23%), parrots (8%) and Starlings (7%) together contributed three quarters of total biomass from bird prey. The female performed most of the care and guarding of nestlings, The parental feeding rate averaged 0.3 item/h in the nestling period and 0.4 itern/h in the first two weeks of the post-fledging dependence period. The post-fledging period lasted at least 21 days. Parental behaviour, displays, vocalisations, hunting behaviour, and juvenile morphology and development are described.