Northern Goshawks (Accipiter gentiles) nesting in south central Wyoming consumed at least 33 species of prey; 14 were mammals and 19 were birds. Based on percent occurrence in regurgitated pellets, dominant (>10% frequency) prey species included: red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus; present in 50% of pellets), Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus; 34%), American Robin (Turdus migratorius; 30%), golden-mantled ground squirrel (Spermophilus lateralis; 27%), and Uinta or least chipmunk (Tamias spp.; 10%). Woodpeckers [combined frequency of occurrence for Northern Flicker, Red-naped Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus nuchalis), Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus), Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides tridactylus), and unknown species] were present in 52% of pellets. Unusual food items in the diet included mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and American marten (Martes americana).
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1 December 2000
Food Habits of Northern Goshawks Nesting In South Central Wyoming
John R. Squires
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