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Survival rates and lifetime reproduction of breeding male Cooper’s Hawks in Wisconsin, 1980-2005

September 1, 2009

There are few published data on annual survival and no reports of lifetime reproduction for breeding Cooper's Hawks (Accipiter cooperii). Breeding males (n  =  105) in central and southeastern Wisconsin had an annual mortality rate of 19%, or a survival rate of 81% for birds ≤10 years of age. We did not detect significant differences in mortality rates between urban and rural habitats, nor between the earlier 13 years and later 13 years of this study. Male Cooper's Hawks produced from zero to 32 nestlings during their lifetimes. Body mass or size appeared unrelated to annual survivorship and lifetime reproduction, although lifetime reproduction was correlated strongly with longevity of breeding males. Fifteen of 66 males (23%) produced most (53%) of the nestlings. Our studies occurred in an area where breeding populations may be increasing with some of the highest reported productivity indices and nesting densities for this species. Habitat used for nesting on our Wisconsin study areas may be less important for survivorship and lifetime reproduction than acquisition of a nesting area in which a male will breed throughout his life.

Publication Year 2009
Title Survival rates and lifetime reproduction of breeding male Cooper’s Hawks in Wisconsin, 1980-2005
DOI 10.1676/08-149.1
Authors Robert N. Rosenfield, John Bielefeldt, Laura J. Rosenfield, Travis L. Booms, Michael A. Bozek
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Wilson Journal of Ornithology
Index ID 70169303
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Coop Res Unit Leetown