2025/05/15 by James Fitzsimons, Elona Masson, M. Masson · 1 voice
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Environmental Science · #Animal Behavior and Reproduction #Avian ecology and behavior #Fire effects on ecosystems
paper · doi:10.1080/15594491.2025.2499785
openalex publication_date 2025/05/15 · openalex created_date 2025/05/16 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23
Red-shouldered Hawks (Buteo lineatus) in northern latitudes of their range in North America consume mostly mammals while in southern states they consume mostly amphibians and reptiles. Here we document occurrences of Red-shouldered Hawks consuming avocado (Persea americana) fruit in Santa Barbara, California, USA, between 2020–2024, the associated behavior of the hawks, and discuss consumption of avocado fruit by other raptors. This brings the number of raptor species documented undertaking frugivory to 33.