Breeding Behaviour and Diet of a Pair of Black Falcons Falco subniger in Northern New South Wales

Abstract

The breeding behaviour and diet of a family of Black Falcons Falco subniger were studied by 65 hours' observation during the nestling and post-fledging periods, and by analysis of prey remains and pellets, near Tamworth on the North-west Slopes of New South Wales in August-October 2004. By number of prey items (n = 80) the Falcons' diet consisted of 55% birds, 41% grasshoppers (Acridoidea) and 4% Rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus, of which Galahs Cacatua roseicapilla (11% ), pigeons (10% ), Common Starlings Stumus vulgmis (10%) and parrots (9%) were frequent prey. By biomass the Falcons' diet consisted of 91% birds, 8% Rabbits, and < 1% grasshoppers, of which Galahs (36% ), pigeons (23% ), parrots (8%) and Starlings (7%) together contributed threequarters of total biomass from bird prey. The female performed most of the care and guarding of nestlings. The parental feeding rate averaged 0.3 item/h in the nestling period and 0.4 item/h in the first two weeks of the post-fledging dependence period. The post-fledging period lasted at least 21 days. Parental behaviour, displays, vocalisations, hunting behaviour, and juvenile morphology and development are described.