Mammals in the diet of the long-legged buzzard (Buteo rufinus) in Ukraine

Abstract

Data on diet of Buteo rufinus in 7 provinces of Ukraine were analyzed. Main victim of this bird-of-spray is mammals: 17 species were identified in pellets, 450 sp. (79.6 %) of all animals captured by buzzard. Among mammals, rodents were trapped most frequently: their portion is 97.8 %. Common vole (Microtus arvalis) is dominant by portion of trapped specimens (48.4 %), mole-rats (Spalax sp.) is dominant by overall masse (49.4 %). Phenology of Long-legged Buzzard breeding tied to life cycles of its victims: susliks (Spermophilus), mole-rats (Spalax), and common hamster (Cricetus).

Keywords

• mammals
• long-legged buzzard
• trophic relations
• ukraine