Hunting success rates, foraging habits and prey selection of peregrine falcons migrating through central Alberta

Dekker, Dick

doi:10.5962/p.347125

Cited by 46Avian ecology and behaviorWildlife Ecology and ConservationAnimal Ecology and Behavior Studies

Hunting success rates, foraging habits and prey selection of peregrine falcons migrating through central Alberta

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Dekker, Dick·1980·The Canadian Field-Naturalist

DOI 10.5962/p.347125

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Dekker, Dick

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Only females have been observed to carry large prey such as mallards.
“The maximum load that a peregrine can carry has never been tested empirically, but only females have been observed to carry large prey such as mallards (Parker 1979, Dekker 1980, 1987).”
From Sexual size dimorphism, prey morphology and catch success in relation to flight mechanics in the peregrine falcon: a simulation study (2019) · cites this paper as Dekker 1980
The Waterfowl section (page unavailable) says that mallards were rarely taken and only by females. It does not say that females carried mallards, so the claim about carrying them goes beyond the reported observation. (LLM, conf=0.84)
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Eagles, Hawks and Falcons of the World
Schultz, V., Brown, L., & Amadon, D. (1970) · Journal of Wildlife Management · doi:10.2307/3798890 · Cited by 681 · see citing works
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The 1975 North American Peregrine Falcon survey
Fyfe, R. W., Temple, S. A., & Cade, T. J. (1976) · The Canadian Field-Naturalist · doi:10.5962/p.345069 · Cited by 63 · see citing works
Behavior of Peregrine Falcons in the New York City Region
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A Fiji peregrine (Falco peregrinus) in an urban-marine environment
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Notes on the peregrine in Cornwall
Treleaven, R. B. (1961) · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Characteristics of Peregrine Falcons migrating through central Alberta, 1969-1978
Dekker, D. (1979) · The Canadian Field-Naturalist · doi:10.5962/p.346959 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
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Bent, A. C. 1938. Life histories of North American birds of prey. Part 2. United States National Museum Bulletin 170. Dover reprint 1961. 482 pp.
Godfrey, W.E. 1966. The birds of Canada. National Museum of Canada Bulletin Number 203. 428 pp.

Sorted by citations

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Powell, G. V. N. (1985) · Ornithological Monographs · doi:10.2307/40168313 · Cited by 222 · see citing works
Falcons pursue prey using visual motion cues: new perspectives from animal-borne cameras
Kane, S. A., & Zamani, M. (2014) · Journal of Experimental Biology · doi:10.1242/jeb.092403 · Cited by 143 · see citing works
“)/Saker falcon (Falco cherrug Gray), hereafter termed hybrid falcon] used the most common tactics observed in studies of falcon attacks on individual birds (Dekker, 1980; Dekker and Lange, 2001) and flocks (Zoratto et al.”
Method
Effects of predator landscapes on the evolutionary ecology of routing, timing and molt by long-distance migrants
Ydenberg, R. C., Butler, R. W., & Lank, D. B. (2007) · Journal of Avian Biology · doi:10.1111/j.0908-8857.2007.04202.x · Cited by 100 · see citing works
Differential mortality of wintering shorebirds on the Banc d’Arguin, Mauritania, due to predation by large falcons
van den Hout, P. J., Spaans, B., & Piersma, T. (2008) · Ibis · doi:10.1111/j.1474-919x.2008.00785.x · Cited by 69 · see citing works
RAPTOR PREDATION ON WINTERING DUNLINS IN RELATION TO THE TIDAL CYCLE
Dekker, D., & Ydenberg, R. C. (2004) · Ornithological Applications · doi:10.1093/condor/106.2.415 · Cited by 69 · see citing works
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Does an opportunistic predator preferentially attack nonvigilant prey?
Cresswell, W. R., Lind, J., Kaby, U., Quinn, J. L., & Jakobsson, S. (2003) · Animal Behaviour · doi:10.1006/anbe.2003.2233 · Cited by 56 · see citing works
Metals in liver and kidney tissues of autumn-migrating dunlin Calidrisalpina and curlew sandpiper Calidris ferruginea staging at the Baltic Sea
Blomqvist, S., Frank, A., & Petersson, L. R. (1987) · Marine Ecology Progress Series · doi:10.3354/meps035001 · Cited by 50 · see citing works
“…certain birds of prey during their breeding season (Cade 1960, Sulkava 1968, White & Cade 1971, Hautala & Sulkava 1977, Lindberg 1983), migrat~on (Dekker 1980, Andersson 1985a, b) and in the winter quarters (Page & Whitacre 1975, Clunie 1976, Mearns 1982, Kus et al. 1984, Whitfield 1985), and…”
Attack frequency, attack success and choice of prey group size for two predators with contrasting hunting strategies
Cresswell, W. R., & Quinn, J. L. (2010) · Animal Behaviour · doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2010.06.024 · Cited by 48 · see citing works
Aerial hunting behaviour and predation success by peregrine falcons Falco peregrinus on starling flocks Sturnus vulgaris
Zoratto, F., Carere, C., Chiarotti, F., Santucci, D., & Alleva, E. (2010) · Journal of Avian Biology · doi:10.1111/j.1600-048x.2010.04974.x · Cited by 47 · see citing works
Hunting mode and success of African PeregrinesFalco peregrinus minor,does nesting habitat quality affect foraging efficiency?
JENKINSz, A. R. (2000) · Ibis · doi:10.1111/j.1474-919x.2000.tb04863.x · Cited by 46 · see citing works
Do Staging Semipalmated Sandpipers Spend the High-Tide Period in Flight over the Ocean to Avoid Falcon Attacks along Shore?
Dekker, D., Dekker, I., Christie, D. A., & Ydenberg, R. C. (2011) · Waterbirds · doi:10.1675/063.034.0208 · Cited by 39 · see citing works
“Although surprise attacks by Peregrines are significantly more successful than open attacks, it does not follow that Peregrines always rely on stealth methods, on the contrary (Dekker 1980, 1999, 2003).”
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Selective predation of organophosphate-exposed prey by American kestrels
Hunt, K. A., Bird, D. M., Mineau, P., & Shutt, L. J. (1992) · Animal Behaviour · doi:10.1016/0003-3472(92)90010-7 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
Over-ocean flocking by Dunlins, Calidris alpina, and the effect of raptor predation at Boundary Bay, British Columbia
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Barton, N., & Houston, D. C. (1994) · Journal of Zoology · doi:10.1111/j.1469-7998.1994.tb01564.x · Cited by 30 · see citing works
The role of pigeon consumption in the population dynamics and breeding performance of a peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) population: conservation implications
López‐López, P., Verdejo, J., & Barba, E. (2008) · European Journal of Wildlife Research · doi:10.1007/s10344-008-0227-2 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
“Direct observation of prey hunting and observation of prey contribution to the nest has been suggested as the best method to determine the diet of peregrine falcons (Dekker 1980; Bird and Aubry 1982; Thiollay 1982).”
Method
Theories commonly adopted to explain the antipredatory benefits of the group life: the case of starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
Zoratto, F., Santucci, D., & Alleva, E. (2009) · RENDICONTI LINCEI · doi:10.1007/s12210-009-0042-z · Cited by 19 · see citing works
The Effect of Kleptoparasitic Bald Eagles and Gyrfalcons on the Kill Rate of Peregrine Falcons Hunting Dunlins Wintering in British Columbia
Dekker, D., Out, M. J., Tabak, M., & Ydenberg, R. C. (2012) · Ornithological Applications · doi:10.1525/cond.2012.110110 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
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Breeding biology of the peregrine falcon in Zimbabwe
Hustler, K. (1983) · Ostrich · doi:10.1080/00306525.1983.9634466 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
PREDATORY BEHAVIOR AND DIET OF WINTERING MALE COOPER'S HAWKS IN A RURAL HABITAT
Roth, T. C., & Lima, S. L. (2006) · Journal of Raptor Research · doi:10.3356/0892-1016(2006)40[287:pbadow]2.0.co;2 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Reproductive and hunting behaviour in Peregrine Falcons, Falco peregrinus, in southern Quebec
Bird, D. M., & Aubry, Y. (1982) · The Canadian Field-Naturalist · doi:10.5962/p.354774 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Sexual size dimorphism, prey morphology and catch success in relation to flight mechanics in the peregrine falcon: a simulation study
Mills, R., Taylor, G. K., & Hemelrijk, C. K. (2019) · Journal of Avian Biology · doi:10.1111/jav.01979 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
“Erratic, or ‘jinking’, flight seems to represent an invaluable adaptation for predator avoidance, because non-alerted, straight-flying prey are almost always caught (Dekker 1980).”
BackgroundInfluential
SUMMER DIET OF THE PEREGRINE FALCON IN FAUNISTICALLY RICH AND POOR ZONES OF ARIZONA ANALYZED WITH CAPTURE-RECAPTURE MODELING
Ellis, D. H., Ellis, C. H., Sabo, B. A., Rea, A. M., Dawson, J., Fackler, J. K., LaRue, C. T., Grubb, T. G., Schmitt, J., Smith, D. G., et al. (2004) · Ornithological Applications · doi:10.1093/condor/106.4.873 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Foraging Ecology of Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus) Along the Colorado River, Grand Canyon, Arizona
Stevens, L. E., Brown, B. T., & Rowell, K. (2009) · The Southwestern Naturalist · doi:10.1894/mh-19.1 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Some Aspects of Avian Mortality Patterns
Curio, E. (1989) · Zoosystematics and Evolution · doi:10.1002/mmnz.4840650306 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Change In Merlin Hunting Behavior Following Recovery of Peregrine Falcon Populations Suggests Mesopredator Suppression
Buchanan, J. B. (2012) · Journal of Raptor Research · doi:10.3356/jrr-11-75.1 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
DNA Sequencing Reveals Patterns of Prey Selection in Migrating Sharp-shinned Hawks
DeLong, J. P., Cox, N. S., Cox, S. W., Hurst, Z. M., & Smith, J. P. (2013) · Ornithological Applications · doi:10.1525/cond.2012.120016 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)
White, C. M., Clum, N. J., Cade, T. J., & Hunt, W. G. (2024) · Birds of the World · doi:10.2173/bow.perfal.01.1 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
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“The observed success rate in this study was higher than those documented in other locations (9.6% in Fiji Islands, Clunie 1976; 13.7% in Sweden, Lindberg 1975; 9% in Alberta, Canada, Dekker 1980; 6.6% in Scotland, Table 1.”
ResultInfluential
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Dekker, D., & Drever, M. C. (2015) · The Canadian Field-Naturalist · doi:10.22621/cfn.v129i2.1696 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
“For instance, in Alberta and British Columbia, Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus) were forced to surrender their prey to pursuing Buteo hawks, and Merlins (Falco columbarius) were kleptoparasitized by pere - grines (Dekker 1980, 2009).”
BackgroundSelf-citation
Hunting methods and success rates of Gyrfalcons, Falco rusticolus, and Prairie Falcons, F. mexicanus, preying on feral pigeons (Rock Doves), Columba livia, in Edmonton, Alberta
Dekker, D., & Lange, J. (2001) · The Canadian Field-Naturalist · doi:10.5962/p.363814 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
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Social Strategy and Cover in Savannah Sparrows
Watts, B. D. (1996) · The Auk · doi:10.2307/4088882 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
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Buchanan, J. B. (2009) · Journal of Raptor Research · doi:10.3356/jrr-05-42.1 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Migrations and Foraging Habits of Bald Eagles in East-Central Alberta, 1964–1983
Dekker, D. (1984) · Blue Jay · doi:10.29173/bluejay4378 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Self-citation
High-tide flight by wintering Dunlins (Calidris alpina): a weather-dependent trade-off between energy loss and predation risk
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Self-citation
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Beauchamp, G. (2015) · Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology · doi:10.1007/s00265-015-2047-1 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
“Sit-andwait is a common hunting tactic for peregrine falcons (Dekker 1980; Dekker and Bogaert 1997; Dekker and Ydenberg 2004).”
Background
New Zealand falcon prey selection may not be driven by preference based on prey nutritional content
Kross, S. M., Tait, A. H., Raubenheimer, D., & Nelson, X. J. (2018) · New Zealand Journal of Ecology · doi:10.20417/nzjecol.42.10 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“Kārearea do not typically dive or ‘stoop’ at prey from above, as is typical in other Falco species (Dekker 1980; Dekker & Lange 2001; Zoratto et al. 2010), but instead will glide or fly directly at prey from a perch, engage in tail chases, or use contour-hugging low flight to flush prey (Fox 1977).”
Background
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“From 1965 onward, over 45 consecutive years, I visited the lake on circa 30 days during each spring and fall, less often in summer, to study the interaction of raptors and waterbirds (Dekker 1980, 1984, 1988).”
BackgroundSelf-citation
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“…Kestrel ( Falco tinnunculus ), Merlin ( Falco columbarius ), Gyrfalcon ( Falco rusticolus ), Carrion Crow ( Corvus corone ), and Common Raven ( Corvus corax ) (Bent 1937, Meinertzhagen 1959, Dekker 1980, 1999, 2003, Longrigg 1981, Zubero-goitia et al 2002, Moshkin 2009, White et al. 2002, 2013).”
BackgroundInfluential
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Demographic features of the recovering peregrine falcon population (Falco peregrinus anatum) in southern Alberta : 1980-1997 /
Stepnisky, D. P., Alberta., & Alberta. (1998) · doi:10.5962/bhl.title.104940 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
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Ydenberg, R. C., Young, S., & Sullivan-Lord, R. (2023) · Frontiers in Ethology · doi:10.3389/fetho.2023.1256380
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“There are many data on the hunting success of the Peregrine (Lindberg 1975, Dekker 1980, Roalkvam 1985).”
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Buchanan, J. B. (2025) · Journal of Raptor Research · doi:10.3356/jrr2515

Spring and fall migrations of peregrine falcons in central Alberta, 1979-1983, with comparisons to 1969-1978
Dekker, D. (1984) · Digital Commons - University of South Florida (University of South Florida) · doi:10.5281/zenodo.16193736 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Self-citation
Hunting methods and success rates of Gyrfalcons, Falco rusticolus, and Prairie Falcons, F. mexicanus, preying on feral pigeons (Rock Doves), Columba livia, in Edmonton, Alberta
Dekker, D., & Lange, J. (2001) · The Canadian Field-Naturalist · doi:10.5962/p.363814 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Self-citation
Survey of the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus anatum) in Alberta /
Corrigan, R., & Alberta. (2001) · doi:10.5962/bhl.title.115362 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Reproductive and hunting behaviour in Peregrine Falcons, Falco peregrinus, in southern Quebec
Bird, D. M., & Aubry, Y. (1982) · The Canadian Field-Naturalist · doi:10.5962/p.354774 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Hunting behaviour of Golden Eagles, Aquila chrysaetos, migrating in southwestern Alberta
Dekker, D. (1985) · The Canadian Field-Naturalist · doi:10.5962/p.355457 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Self-citation

Authors: Dekker, D.
Affiliations: Harvard University (US)
Corresponding author: Dekker, Dick
Venue: The Canadian Field-Naturalist
Publisher: Biodiversity Heritage Library
Published: 1980
Volume: 94
Issue: 4
Pages: 371-382
ISSN: 0008-3550 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.5962/p.347125
OpenAlex: W4391459470
Cited by: 46
References: 12
Citations by year: 2025: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 2 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 4
FWCI: 2.09
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: hybrid
doi.org
Licence: cc-by-nc-sa
Locations: The Canadian Field-Naturalist (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
Biodiversity Heritage Library (Smithsonian Institution) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
Topics: Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Avian ecology and behavior
Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
Keywords: Falco peregrinus, hunting success, foraging behavior, prey selection, migration, Alberta

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Hunting success rates, foraging habits and prey selection of peregrine falcons migrating through central Alberta

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