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Breeding Ecology Of Raptors In The Eastern Great Basin Of Utah, Dwight G. Smith, Joseph R. Murphy

Brigham Young University Science Bulletin, Biological Series

A comparative study of the breeding ecology of 12 raptor species was conducted in the eastern Great Basin from 1967-1970. The project was designed to determine the composition and densities, habitat selection, territoriality and predatory habits of raptorial birds in a semiarid environment. All topics were analyzed comparatively, relating the requirements and activities of the 12 raptor species.

Average yearly population densities of all species approximated 0.5 pairs per square mile, but much of the available habitat was not utilized. Predominant raptors were the Ferruginous Hawk and Great Horned Owl. Other important raptors included the Golden Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk and …