The Diet of the Brown Goshawk, Accipiter-Fasciatus, in Southeastern Australia

Abstract

The diet of the brown goshawk, Accipiter fasciatus, was studied during 1980-83 near Macclesfield, VIc. Birds made up 63% and mammals 26% of 1769 prey items. Rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus, accounted for 95% of mammalian items. Mammals were estimated to contribute more to dietary biomass than birds (54 v.46%). Other animals recorded in the diet were reptiles (Elapidae and Scincidae), insects (mostly Coleoptera and Orthoptera) and crustaceans (Engaeus spp.). Diet composition varied significantly from year to year, from season to season and, during breeding, between territories in close proximity to one another. There were significant differences in the diets of males and females. Males took relatively more birds (52 v.24%), more insects (41 v.21%) and fewer mammals (2 v. 48%). Differences in food between age classes were also significant. Compared to second-year and older birds, first-year birds took relatively fewer mammals (28 v.43%), fewer birds (23 v.49%) and more insects (43 v.0%).