The importance of open habitat to the occurrence of kleptoparasitism
The importance of open habitat to the occurrence of kleptoparasitism
Paulson, D.R.
Auk 102.3: 637-639
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0004-8038
DOI: 10.2307/4086662
The author describes a succession of kleptoparasitic interactions involving a merlin (Falco columbarius ), a northern harries (Circus cyaneus ), and a red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis ). In addition, a second red-tailed hawk and a pair of crested coracaras (Polyborus plancus ) were involved, but perhaps in an interspecific territorial action rather than kleptoparasitism. These encounters were witnessed in an open grassy prairie in Hendry County, Florida, on 26 November 1961.