Diversity and reproduction of raptors in urban areas in southern Chile

Abstract

Abstract Cities in general possess limited areas of original vegetation, or even artificial green areas; this results in drastic modification of faunal communities, with reductions in their original abundance and diversity. Nevertheless, some species are able to thrive in cities, including high trophic level species such as raptors. The object of this study was to characterise the diversity, abundance and reproduction of diurnal and nocturnal raptors in the urban area of a city in southern Chile. Twelve species of raptor were recorded, seven diurnal and five nocturnal. The species recorded most frequently were Coragyps atratus and Glaucidium nanum; the least frequent species were Parabuteo unicinctus and Elanus leucurus. Eighteen nesting sites were recorded of six species of diurnal and nocturnal raptors: Falco sparverius, Milvago chimango, G. nanum, Strix rufipes, Tyto alba and Athene cunicularia. This is a good sample of the diversity of raptor species which reside permanently in urban areas.