Migration and habitat preferences of Swainson's Hawks at an autumn stopover site in northwestern Texas
Journal of Raptor Research
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Abstract
Unlike most raptors, the Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) migrates long distances between breeding and wintering ranges, which elevates the importance of stopover sites for foraging. We conducted three years of fall surveys in the Southern High Plains of Texas. Migrant Swainson's Hawks moved through the area mostly between July and mid-October, peaking in September. Subadults tended to migrate earlier than adults, and light morphs before dark morphs. Favored foraging habitats included silage corn, green beans, and alfalfa, but the hawks foraged primarily where ongoing agricultural activities disturbed prey and made them more available.
Suggested Citation
Littlefield, C.D., Johnson, D.H., 2013, Migration and habitat preferences of Swainson's Hawks at an autumn stopover site in northwestern Texas: Journal of Raptor Research, v. 47, no. 1, p. 54-59, https://doi.org/10.3356/JRR-11-41.1.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Migration and habitat preferences of Swainson's Hawks at an autumn stopover site in northwestern Texas |
| Series title | Journal of Raptor Research |
| DOI | 10.3356/JRR-11-41.1 |
| Volume | 47 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Year Published | 2013 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | The Raptor Research Foundation |
| Contributing office(s) | Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center |
| Description | 6 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Journal of Raptor Research |
| First page | 54 |
| Last page | 59 |
| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Castro County;Lamb County |
| Other Geospatial | Southern High Plains |