We recorded 19 visits by ferruginous hawks (Buteo regalis) over 6 d at two black–tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) subcolonies poisoned with the rodenticide Rozol® Prairie Dog Bait (0.005% chlorophacinone active ingredient) and at an adjacent untreated subcolony. Before Rozol® application ferruginous hawks foraged in the untreated and treated subcolonies but after Rozol® application predation by ferruginous hawks was only observed in the treated subcolonies. We suggest that ferruginous hawks' preference for hunting in the treated subcolonies after Rozol® application was influenced by the availability of easy-to-capture prey, presumably due to Rozol® poisoning. The energetically beneficial behavior of favoring substandard prey may increase raptor encounters with rodenticide exposed animals if prey vulnerability has resulted from poisoning.
Citation Information
| Publication Year | 2017 |
|---|---|
| Title | Influence of poisoned prey on foraging behavior of ferruginous hawks |
| DOI | 10.1674/0003-0031-177.1.75 |
| Authors | Nimish B. Vyas, Frank Kuncir, Criss C. Clinton |
| Publication Type | Article |
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Series Title | The American Midland Naturalist |
| Index ID | 70143864 |
| Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
| USGS Organization | Patuxent Wildlife Research Center |