Peaceless doves: predators of two columbid species at an urban park in Southeastern Brazil

Abstract

Doves are preyed on by a variety of vertebrate predators including mammals, birds, and snakes. In urban areas the predator diversity is restricted to a few species, and hawks are the commonest dove predators there. Herein we present instances of predation on the Eared Dove and the Picazuro Pigeon by two accipitrid raptors, the Roadside Hawk and the Plumbeous Kite, besides a dipsadid snake, the Eastern Whip Snake, at an urban park. The doves were hunted mostly during their fledgling stages. The Plumbeous Kite hunted Eared Doves only during its breeding season to feed the offspring, whereas the Roadside Hawk preyed both on Eared Doves and the Picazuro Pigeon also during its non-breeding period. The Eastern Whip Snake preyed on a nestling. The Roadside Hawk was the main predator of the Eared Dove in the studied park, and probably would prove to be an important predator of this and additional dove species at other urban areas.