Notes on breeding sharp-shinned hawks and Cooper’s hawks in Barnwell County, South Carolina.

Journal Article · Wed Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 2009 · Southeastern Naturalist

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1656/058.008.0315· OSTI ID:989493

Vukovich, Mark ^[1]

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1. USDA Forest Service, Savannah River

Abstract - Breeding records of Accipiter striatus (Sharp-shinned Hawks) in the southeastern US are scattered and isolated. We documented a Sharp-shinned Hawk and Accipiter cooperii (Cooper’s Hawk) nest while conducting a telemetry study on Melanerpes erythrocephalus (Red-headed Woodpeckers) in Barnwell County, SC in 2006 and 2007. We report the first known nest of a Sharp-shinned Hawk in Barnwell County, SC and the first report of Sharp-shinned Hawks preying upon Red-headed Woodpeckers. Thirteen of 93 (13.9 %) woodpeckers were killed by accipiters in the summers of 2006 and 2007. Large, contiguous forests managed for Picoides borealis (Red-cockaded Woodpeckers) may be used by breeding Sharp-shinned Hawks. The bright plumage, loud calls, and behavior of Red-headed Woodpeckers, particularly during the nestling stage, may make them conspicuous prey for accipiters.

• Research Organization: USDA Forest Service, Savannah River, New Ellenton, SC
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Environment, Safety and Health (EH)
• DOE Contract Number: AI09-00SR22188
• OSTI ID: 989493
• Report Number(s): na; 09-19-P
• Journal Information: Southeastern Naturalist, Journal Name: Southeastern Naturalist Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 8; ISSN 1938-5412; ISSN 1528-7092
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
Accipiter
BIRDS
BREEDING
Cooper’s Hawks
FORESTS
Red-headed Woodpeckers
SOUTH CAROLINA
Sharp-skinned Hawks
TELEMETRY