Abstract

FIGUEROA ROJAS, Ricardo A.. Aerial talon-grappling between the White-throated Hawk (Buteo albigula) and Red-backed Hawk (Buteo polyosoma) in central-south Chile. Hornero [online]. 2003, vol.18, n.1, pp.53-55. ISSN 0073-3407.

During the summer of 2002, I observed a direct aggressive contact between a White-throated Hawk and a Red-backed Hawk in central-south Chile. Each of the hawks in flight grappled its talons with the other, and pushed its feet against its opponent, rotating briefly downward in "cartwheels". Afterwards, the birds broke free of each other's talons. No injury or loss of aerodynamic control was apparent. This type of antagonistic display, utilized presumably as territorial defense, would be the first reported for Falconiforms in Chile.

Keywords : aerial talon-grappling; Buteo albigula; Buteo polyosoma; "cartwheel-like" rotation.

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