Flight initiation by Ferruginous Hawks depends on disturbance type, experience, and the anthropogenic landscape.

ABSTRACT: The expansion of humans and their related infrastructure is increasing the likelihood that wildlife will interact with humans. When disturbed by humans, animals often change their behaviour, which can result in time and energetic costs to that animal. An animal's decision to change behaviour is likely related to the type of disturbance, the individual's past experience with disturbance, and the landscape in which the disturbance occurs. In southern Alberta and Saskatchewan, we quantified probability of flight initiation from the nest by Ferruginous Hawks (Buteo regalis) during approaches to nests by investigators. We tested if probability of flight was related to different disturbance types, previous experience, and the anthropogenic landscape in which individual Ferruginous Hawks nested.

SUBMITTER: Nordell CJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5436750 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature