We found a match
Your institution may have rights to this item. Sign in to continue.
- Title
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) scavenging on domestic turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) carcass.
- Authors
Schulwitz, Sarah E.; Griffith, Michael C.; McClure, Christopher J. W.
- Abstract
Despite the American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) being one of the most commonly occurring and one of the most thoroughly studied raptors in North America, it has only been documented consuming wild carrion one time in the literature. Here, we document at least one American Kestrel feeding on the carcass of a domesticated turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) near Boise, Idaho. Each day for 5 consecutive days in January/ February 2018, we observed at least one unbanded female kestrel feeding on the turkey carcass for approximately 15 min per visit. American Kestrels have a diverse diet, but feed primarily on small rodents, insects, and other small prey, and demonstrate preferences for more active prey. Results reported here provide documentation for a rare feeding strategy in American Kestrels.
- Subjects
NORTH America; BOISE (Idaho); IDAHO; TURKEYS; KESTRELS; BIRDS of prey; ANIMAL carcasses
- Publication
Wilson Journal of Ornithology, 2019, Vol 131, Issue 2, p410
- ISSN
1559-4491
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1676/18-101