Resumen

FIGUEROA ROJAS, Ricardo A.  y  CORALES STAPPUNG, E. Soraya. Summer diet comparison between the American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) and Aplomado Falcon (Falco femoralis) in an agricultural area of Araucanía, southern Chile. Hornero [online]. 2004, vol.19, n.2, pp.53-60. ISSN 0073-3407.

The diet of the American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) and Aplomado Falcon (Falco femoralis) was quantified by analysis of their pellets during the summer 1997-1998 in an agricultural area of Araucanía, southern Chile. By number, the most important prey of the American Kestrel were insects (61% of all individual prey) followed by birds (23%), rodents (13.7%) and reptiles (2.6%). Avian prey accounted for the highest biomass contribution (79.6%), followed by rodents (18%). Biomass contribution of insects and reptiles was negligible. Birds were the staple prey of the Aplomado Falcon both by number (89%) and biomass (99%). Number and biomass contribution of rodent and insect prey was minute. Diet of both raptor species did not broadly overlap. Both the American Kestrel and Aplomado Falcon appeared to respond in an opportunistic manner to the most abundant bird prey in the field (Sicalis luteola), although the latter species could be consuming preferentially larger-sized avian prey.

Palabras clave : American Kestrel; Aplomado Falcon; Diet overlap; Falco sparverius; Falco femoralis; Prey size; Sicalis luteola; Southern Chile.

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