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Spatio-Temporal Relationships Between Breeding Red-Tailed Hawks and Great Horned Owls in South Dakota

Authors
Thomas C. Dunstan, Byron E. Harrell
Journal
Raptor Research
Volume
7
Issue
2 (Summer)
Year
1973
Pages
49-54
Section
Scientific Papers
Online Text

ABSTRACT

Twenty pairs of Red-tailed Hawks and Great Horned Owls which nested at five areas in Clay County, South Dakota, were studied from 1966 to 1971. Great Horned Owl breeding activities were about three weeks earlier than those of Red-tailed Hawks. Great Horned Owls used 17 old Red-tailed Hawk nests, one artificial nest, and on two occasions the same nest twice. Red-tailed Hawks built 19 new nests and one artificial nest. Active Red-tailed Hawk and Great Horned Owl nests when both species were present at the same site were at a distance of 290 to 4,360 feet (88-1329 meters) and averaged 2,070 feet (631 meters). Both species fledged young on 20 occasions.

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p00049-p00054.pdf (364.96 KB)

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