Diet of the Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) in the Sierras Béticas of Granada during the breeding season

Full article

Published:

Volume 45(1), June 1998. Pages 55-62.

Language:

Spanish

Original title:

Dieta del Azor Común (Accipiter gentilis) en las Sierras Béticas de Granada durante el período de reproducción

Keywords:

Accipiter gentilis, breeding season, diet, Goshawk, Granada, Península Ibérica.

Abstract:

The diet of the Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) was studied in a Mediterranean area of the Granada province during the breeding season of 1994. The study was conducted by collecting prey remains and pellets in eight Goshawk nest sites. Diet variations were analyzed among three bioclimatic areas: Mesomediterranean (3 pairs), Supramediterranean (4 pairs) and Oromediterranean (1 pair). We identified 410 prey items, including at least 29 species. Birds were the dominant prey type, followed by mammals and reptiles. Jay (Garrulus glandarius), Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus), Red-legged Partridge (Alectoris rufa) and Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) were the species most frecuently found, although the rabbit appeared as the most important source of biomass. Juveniles made an important contribution to the diet, specially fledgling birds. Variations in the diet were detected according to the bioclimatic areas cosidered. A negative correlation between the mean altitude of the territory and some prey types (rabbit and pigeons) was observed.