Territorial Behavior of the White-Necked Hawk (Buteogallus lacernulatus) and the Mantled Hawk (Pseudastur polionotus) in Eastern Brazil
Studies of territorial and courtship behavior are lacking for many tropical raptors. From 2006 to 2009, using observations that were not time-limited, we studied the territorial and courtship behaviors of the White-necked Hawk (Buteogallus lacernulatus) and the Mantled Hawk (Pseudastur polionotus) in Rio Doce State Park in eastern Brazil. We observed White-necked Hawks and Mantled Hawks engaged in aerial displays on 67 and 13 occasions, respectively. Display behaviors performed by White-necked Hawks were characterized by 1–4 undulations followed by aerial swoops and spirals. Territorial and/or courtship behaviors of Mantled Hawks were characterized by the male and female performing thermal or horizontal gliding together and diving in spirals while frequently emitting a series of long and short whistles. This study presents the first formal descriptions of the aerial territorial/courtship displays of these rare forest-dwelling raptors. Comportamiento Territorial de Buteogallus lacernulatus y Pseudastur polionotus en el Este de Brasil Se carece de estudios sobre comportamiento territorial y cortejo de muchas rapaces tropicales. De 2006 a 2009, utilizando observaciones ad libitum, estudiamos los comportamientos territoriales y de cortejo de Buteogallus lacernulatus y Pseudastur polionotus en el Parque Estatal Rio Doce en el este de Brasil. Observamos individuos de B. lacernulatus y P. polionotus involucrados en exhibiciones aéreas en 67 y 13 ocasiones, respectivamente. Los comportamientos de exhibición realizados por B. lacernulatus se caracterizaron por una a cuatro ondulaciones seguidas de lanzamientos aéreos y espirales. Los comportamientos territoriales y/o de cortejo de P. polionotus se caracterizaron por planeos térmicos u horizontales del macho y la hembra juntos e inmersiones en espiral mientras emitían con frecuencia una serie de silbidos largos y cortos. Este estudio presenta las primeras descripciones formales de las exhibiciones aéreas territoriales y de cortejo de estas raras rapaces que habitan en los bosques. [Traducción del equipo editorial]ABSTRACT
RESUMEN
Graphical illustration of the aerial territorial display flight of the White-necked Hawk, based on 67 observations at Rio Doce State Park, Brazil. Flights were performed individually or by mated pairs flying side by side, and were characterized by one to four variable loops, followed by spiraling dives, and ending with glides on thermals or rapid wing flapping to soar up again and repeat the sequence.
Graphical illustration of the aerial territorial display of the Mantled Hawk, based on observations at Rio Doce State Park, Brazil. Flights were characterized by a mated pair thermal- or horizontal-gliding together above the forest canopy while vocalizing loudly with long and short whistles, then coming together belly-to-belly and free-falling and swirling together down toward the canopy.
Contributor Notes
1 Email address: antonini.y@gmail.com
Associate Editor: Jeff P. Smith