A Raptor Census in Montana

1. Montana's remarkable raptor population has been analyzed in part by species ranking and frequency distribution method based upon the road tally. 2. Aside from a few species which are confined to rather narrow ecological limits, the majority of raptors occur on a statewide basis. A total of 5...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The American midland naturalist 1944-05, Vol.31 (3), p.684-688
Main Author: Hiatt, Robert W.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Automobiles
Birds of prey
Censuses
Hawks
Owls
Prairies
Roadside
Sparrows
Species
Valleys
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Summary:1. Montana's remarkable raptor population has been analyzed in part by species ranking and frequency distribution method based upon the road tally. 2. Aside from a few species which are confined to rather narrow ecological limits, the majority of raptors occur on a statewide basis. A total of 551 raptors were observed, for each 4.5 miles traveled. The tally varied from seven to 98 raptors daily, with an average of 27. A frequency of occurrence analysis of individual species indicates that Sparrow Hawks and Marsh Hawks are by far the most abundant, a fact which coincides with data published on other similar censuses in western United States. 3. Three concentration localizations are described, where raptors occur as frequently as two per mile traveled. 4. Sparrow Hawks predominate in western and southern Montana, while the Marsh Hawk is the most abundant species in the north and east. The distinct reflection upon raptor species occasioned by prey types present is indicated.
ISSN:0003-0031
1938-4238
DOI:10.2307/2421414