Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-2017

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1676/1559-4491-129.1.216

Abstract

Nest collapse has been documented in many bird species, with little discussion of adult behavior following collapse. We present evidence of a partial collapse of a Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) nest during the nestling period and the subsequent adult response. A nest camera captured the nest collapse and showed one adult Gyrfalcon holding a live nestling in its beak before leaving the nest. Later, we found the surviving nestling alive in an alternate nest 5 m from the original nest, presumably transported there by the adult. We believe this is the first report of an adult Gyrfalcon moving a nestling to a new location following nest disturbance. We place this observation into a context of Gyrfalcon nesting behavior described in published sources. The continued use of nest cameras may provide additional documentation and insight into this behavior and its prevalence in birds.

Copyright Statement

This document was originally published in The Wilson Journal of Ornithology by the Wilson Ornithological Society. Copyright restrictions may apply. doi: 10.1676/1559-4491-129.1.216

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