Observations on the breeding behavior of the Variable Hawk (Geranoaetus polyosoma) in the Atacama Desert, Chile

Abstract

Although the Variable Hawk (Geranoaetus polyosoma) is a common and broadly distributed raptor in the Neotropics, its breeding ecology is almost unknown. Using video cameras, we collected data on the parental and nestling behavior of this hawk at the early-brood rearing period from one location in the Atacama Desert of Chile. An attempt to collect data in a second nest failed due to methodological deficiencies, which suggested improvements to sampling design in future studies. As most accipitrid raptors, we found that the female performed the majority of the parental activities occurring at the nest: she fed the chicks, protected them from high solar radiation and stayed on the nest at night. Nestlings were fed with Chilean Iguana (Callopistes macullatus) and Darwin's Leaf-eared Mouse (Phyllotis darwini). We also describe some nestling behaviors. With these observations, we add information to the breeding ecology of this species and encourage the use of low-cost technology to monitor wildlife, but with certain considerations.