ECOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR OF SOUTHERN SOUTH-AMERICAN CINEREOUS HARRIERS, CIRCUS-CINEREUS
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1988
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Abstract
We report field observations made in Torres del Paine National Park, southernmost Chile, on the ecology and behavior of breeding cinereous harriers (Circus cinereus) and summarize scattered information on the biology of this species. Information is presented and discussed on: taxonomy, morphology, distribution, habitat, migration, abundance, status, reproduction, behavior, and diet. Reproductive aspects of the population studied are documented with emphasis on behavior; 1620 min of observations on prey transport and transfer are analyzed quantitatively. The first quantitative assessment of the cinereous harrier''s diet is also presented, based on 1259 prey items identified among 413 regurgitated pellets collected in the study site: 33.6% of the prey (by number) was insects, 27.2% birds, 19.1% each, mammals and reptiles, and 1.0% arachnids. The biomass contribution to the diet, however, follows a decreasing order from birds, through mammals, reptiles, insects, and to arachnids.