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Age-specific productivity and nest site characteristics of Cooper's hawks (Accipiter cooperii)

January 1, 1984

Nesting Cooper's Hawks (Accipiter cooperii) were studied in northeastern Oregon. Second-year (SY) males did not breed, but 22 percent of the breeding females were SY's. Mean clutch size (P = 0.012) and mean number of young fledged per pair that laid eggs (P < 0.10) were lower for SY females than for adult (after second year [ASY}) females; however, an equal percentage of the eggs (excluding a collected sample egg) yielded fledged young for each age class. Stepwise discriminant analysis suggested differences in structural characteristics of the nest site habitat for ASY and SY females, i.e., SY female nest sites were associated with younger successional stages than ASY female nest sites. Nests of both age groups were built in trees with high crown volume, but ASY females utilized mistletoe (Arceuthobium sp.) for nest structures more frequently (P < 0.01) than SY females.

Publication Year 1984
Title Age-specific productivity and nest site characteristics of Cooper's hawks (Accipiter cooperii)
Authors K.R. Moore, C. J. Henny
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Northwest Science
Index ID 5221930
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Patuxent Wildlife Research Center