Abstract

We monitored 25 Besra Sparrowhawk (Accipiter virgatus) nests from 1993 to 2002 in Yangmingshan, northern Taiwan, to document the prey composition of this species during the breeding season. Results showed that birds were the major prey both in frequency and in biomass. Besra Sparrowhawk preyed more on species active in canopy, mid-layer, and shrubs than on the ground. There were seasonal shifts in prey composition and diet diversity indices. We suggest that Besra Sparrowhawk captured prey opportunistically, capitalizing on seasonally emerging prey species that are abundant and energetically rewarding to catch.

中文摘要

本研究於1993 年至2002 年在北台灣陽明山地區監測了25 個台灣松雀鷹 (Accipiter virgatus) 的巢，紀錄此種鳥在繁殖期之食性。結果顯示台灣松雀鷹不論以帶回巢之食物種類、頻律、或生物量而言，鳥類均為其主食。被獵捕的鳥種多在樹冠層、中層、及灌木叢中活動，在地面活動的鳥種相對較少。台灣松雀鷹的食性相當廣，會隨機捕捉多種獵物，食性有季節間的轉移，利用隨季節大發生的昆蟲，故食物的組成與食物多樣性指數會隨月份而有差異。

Keyword: Prey composition, Food habits, Besra Sparrowhawk, Accipiter virgatus, Yangmingshan, Taiwan