FreeLists / bristol-birds / [Bristol-Birds] Road Kill Raptors

[<wjlitz@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Wallace's observations on road killed raptors provide a good reason to remind 
everyone that many road kills are caused by raptors hunting small mammals 
foraging for edible scraps on or near the roadside.  The birds' concentration 
is intently on the prey and they don't see the car that gets them.  Apple 
cores, anything edible, maybe even litter that can be used as rodent nest 
material can contribute to the problem.

Of course raptors can also get caught eating road kill, but they always seem 
pretty wary and not so focused, as when on the chase, when doing so.   

Concerning owls killed on the road, probably at night, it would be interesting 
to determine from gut contents whether they have been feeding on mammals or on 
snakes drawn by the warmth of the road or perhaps the same mammals that attract 
the owls.

Jack Litz
Fordtown Community
Sullivan  County

  
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