Predación repetida de Lechuzón Mocho Chico (Pulsatrix koeniswaldiana) sobre una colonia de nidos de Boyero Cacique (Cacicus haemorrhous)

Milka R. Gomez; Carlos A. Ferreyra; Kristina L. Cockle

doi:10.56178/na.v71i.1173

Articles Published 28 February 2026 https://doi.org/10.56178/na.v71i.1173

Repeated predation by Tawny-browed Owl (Pulsatrix koeniswaldiana) on a nesting colony of Red-rumped Cacique (Cacicus haemorrhous)

Icteridae nest colony predation nocturnal nest predation owl Strigidae

Milka R. Gomez Proyecto Selva de Pino Paraná, Durañona S/N, San Pedro, Misiones, Argentina

Carlos A. Ferreyra Proyecto Selva de Pino Paraná, Durañona S/N, San Pedro, Misiones, Argentina

Kristina L. Cockle Proyecto Selva de Pino Paraná, Durañona S/N, San Pedro, Misiones, Argentina | Instituto de Biología Subtropical, CONICET-UNaM, Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina

Abstract

Between 2017 and 2022 a pair of Tawny-browed Owls (Pulsatrix koeniswaldiana) repeatedly preyed on a nesting colony of Red-rumped Caciques (Cacicus haemorrhous) in the Atlantic Forest, Misiones, Argentina. We studied these interactions opportunistically and using a camera trap. The owl gripped the nest with its talons and flapped its wings to support itself, opening the nest with its beak. We confirmed that it picked up a dead chick (dried up) and hunted at least three feathered birds (apparent adults). In 2021, the presumed male killed a cacique by squeezing its neck with his beak and then handed it to his mate, who carried it away probably to a nearby nest. In 2022, owls nested ~50 m from the colony; they continued to stalk the colony and the caciques abandoned it. Studies on hunting tactics in Strigiformes will provide further insight into their behaviors and how they influence their prey.

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References

Arendt WJ (2000) Impact of nest predators, competitors, and ectoparasites on Pearly-eyed Thrashers, with comments on the potential implications for Puerto Rican Parrot recovery. Ornitología Neotropical 11: 13–63
Bencke GA, Bencke CSC (1999) The potential importance of road deaths as a cause of mortality for large forest owls in southern Brazil. Cotinga 11: 17–18
Bó MS, Baladrón AV, Biondi LM (2007) Ecología trófica de Falconiformes y Strigiformes: tiempo de síntesis. El Hornero 22(2): 97–115
Bodrati A, Cockle K, Segovia JM, Roesler I, Areta JI, Jordan E (2010) La avifauna del Parque Provincial Cruce Caballero, Provincia de Misiones, Argentina. Cotinga 32: 41–64
Burger J (1974) Breeding adaptations of Franklin’s Gull (Larus pipixcan) to a marsh habitat. Animal Behaviour 22(3): 521–567
Cabrera AL (1976) Enciclopedia argentina de agricultura y jardinería. 2nd ed. Tomo II. Fascículo I. Regiones fitogeográficas argentinas. Editorial Acme SACI, Buenos Aires
Cadena-Ortiz H, Freile JF, Bahamonde-Vinueza D (2013) Información sobre la dieta de algunos búhos (Strigidae) del Ecuador. Ornitología Neotropical 24: 469–474
Chiavacci SJ, Bader TJ, Bednarz JC (2014) Preferred nest site characteristics reduce predator-specific predation risk in a canopy-nesting raptor. The Journal of Wildlife Management 78(6): 1022–1032. https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.746
Cockle KL, Gomez MR, Ferreyra CA, Di Sallo FG, Bodrati A (2024) Lesser Woodcreepers (Xiphorhynchus fuscus) excavate nest cavities in trees. Ornithology 141(1): ukad060. https://doi.org/10.1093/ornithology/ukad060
Duca C, Marini MÂ (2004) Aspectos da nidificação de Cacicus haemorrhous (Passeriformes, Icterinae) no sudeste do Brasil. Ararajuba 12(1): 23–30
Figueroa RA, Corales ES (2015) Registros ocasionales de presas consumidas por aves rapaces en áreas boscosas del sur de Chile. Boletín Chileno de Ornitología 21 (1–2): 150–154
Hernández-Muñoz A, Mancina CA (2011) La dieta de la lechuza (Tyto alba) (Aves: Strigiformes) en hábitats naturales y antropogénicos de la región central de Cuba. Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad 82: 217–226
Holt DW, Berkley R, Deppe C, Enriquez PL, Petersen JL, Rangel Salazar JL, Segars KP, Wood KL, de Juana E, Marks JS (2020) Tawny-browed Owl (Pulsatrix koeniswaldiana), versión 1.0. En: Birds of the World, del Hoyo J, Elliott A, Sargatal J, Christie DA, de Juana E (eds). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA
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Luttich SN, Keith LB, Stephenson JD (1971) Population dynamics of the Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) at Rochester, Alberta. The Auk 88(1): 75–87
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Ramiro LSS, Batalla JF (2018) Ecologia alimentar de Pulsatrix koeniswaldiana (Bertoni & Bertoni, 1901) em uma área sob influência antrópica em Ubatuba-SP. Observações preliminares. UNISANTA Bioscience 7(2): 126–132
Ribeiro-Silva L, Perrella DF, Biagolini-Jr CH, Zima PVQ, Piratelli AJ, Schlindwein MN, Galetti Junior PM, Francisco MR (2018) Testing camera traps as a potential tool for detecting nest predation of birds in a tropical rainforest environment. Zoologia 35: e14678. https://doi.org/10.3897/zoologia.35.e14678
Rohner C, Doyle FI (1992) Food-stressed Great-horned Owl kills adult goshawk: exceptional observation or community process? Journal of Raptor Research 26(4): 261–263
Salvador SA, Bodrati A (2014) Observaciones sobre una colonia de cría del Boyero Cacique (Cacicus haemorrhous) en Misiones, Argentina. Nuestras Aves 59: 47–49
Southern LK, Patton SR, Southern WE (1982) Nocturnal predation on Larus gulls. Colonial Waterbirds 5: 169–172
Southern LK, Southern WE (1979) Absence of nocturnal predator defense mechanisms in breeding gulls. Proceedings of the Colonial Waterbird Group 2: 157–162
Tella JL, Mañosa S (1993) Eagle Owl predation on Egyptian Vulture and Northern Goshawk: Possible effect of a decrease in European rabbit availability. Journal of Raptor Research 27(2): 111–112
Weidinger K (2009) Nest predators of woodland open-nesting songbirds in central Europe. Ibis 151: 352–360
Wu JX, Harbison MA, Beilke S, Saha P, Bateman BL (2025) A focus on females can improve science and conservation. Ibis 167: 819–827. https://doi.org/10.1111/ibi.13386

How to cite

Milka R. Gomez, Carlos A. Ferreyra, Kristina L. Cockle (2026). Repeated predation by Tawny-browed Owl (Pulsatrix koeniswaldiana) on a nesting colony of Red-rumped Cacique (Cacicus haemorrhous). Nuestras Aves, Vol. 71 (2026). https://doi.org/10.56178/na.v71i.1173

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[1] Arendt WJ (2000) Impact of nest predators, competitors, and ectoparasites on Pearly-eyed Thrashers, with comments on the potential implications for Puerto Rican Parrot recovery. Ornitología Neotropical 11: 13–63

[2] Bencke GA, Bencke CSC (1999) The potential importance of road deaths as a cause of mortality for large forest owls in southern Brazil. Cotinga 11: 17–18

[3] Bó MS, Baladrón AV, Biondi LM (2007) Ecología trófica de Falconiformes y Strigiformes: tiempo de síntesis. El Hornero 22(2): 97–115

[4] Bodrati A, Cockle K, Segovia JM, Roesler I, Areta JI, Jordan E (2010) La avifauna del Parque Provincial Cruce Caballero, Provincia de Misiones, Argentina. Cotinga 32: 41–64

[5] Burger J (1974) Breeding adaptations of Franklin’s Gull (Larus pipixcan) to a marsh habitat. Animal Behaviour 22(3): 521–567

[6] Cabrera AL (1976) Enciclopedia argentina de agricultura y jardinería. 2nd ed. Tomo II. Fascículo I. Regiones fitogeográficas argentinas. Editorial Acme SACI, Buenos Aires

[7] Cadena-Ortiz H, Freile JF, Bahamonde-Vinueza D (2013) Información sobre la dieta de algunos búhos (Strigidae) del Ecuador. Ornitología Neotropical 24: 469–474

[8] Chiavacci SJ, Bader TJ, Bednarz JC (2014) Preferred nest site characteristics reduce predator-specific predation risk in a canopy-nesting raptor. The Journal of Wildlife Management 78(6): 1022–1032. https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.746

[9] Cockle KL, Gomez MR, Ferreyra CA, Di Sallo FG, Bodrati A (2024) Lesser Woodcreepers (Xiphorhynchus fuscus) excavate nest cavities in trees. Ornithology 141(1): ukad060. https://doi.org/10.1093/ornithology/ukad060

[10] Duca C, Marini MÂ (2004) Aspectos da nidificação de Cacicus haemorrhous (Passeriformes, Icterinae) no sudeste do Brasil. Ararajuba 12(1): 23–30

[11] Figueroa RA, Corales ES (2015) Registros ocasionales de presas consumidas por aves rapaces en áreas boscosas del sur de Chile. Boletín Chileno de Ornitología 21 (1–2): 150–154

[12] Hernández-Muñoz A, Mancina CA (2011) La dieta de la lechuza (Tyto alba) (Aves: Strigiformes) en hábitats naturales y antropogénicos de la región central de Cuba. Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad 82: 217–226

[13] Holt DW, Berkley R, Deppe C, Enriquez PL, Petersen JL, Rangel Salazar JL, Segars KP, Wood KL, de Juana E, Marks JS (2020) Tawny-browed Owl (Pulsatrix koeniswaldiana), versión 1.0. En: Birds of the World, del Hoyo J, Elliott A, Sargatal J, Christie DA, de Juana E (eds). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA

[14] König C, Weick F (2010) Owls of the world. A&C Black, London

[15] Lucheti WD (2012) Tawny-browed Owl (Pulsatrix koeniswaldiana). WikiAves - A Enciclopédia das Aves do Brasil. http://www.wikiaves.com/708638. Accedido el 4/6/2025

[16] Luttich SN, Keith LB, Stephenson JD (1971) Population dynamics of the Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) at Rochester, Alberta. The Auk 88(1): 75–87

[17] MAyDS y AA Ministerio de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sustentable y Aves Argentinas (2017) Categorización de las Aves de la Argentina (2015). Informe del Ministerio de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sustentable de la Nación y de Aves Argentinas, edición electrónica. CABA

[18] Menezes JC, Marini MÂ (2017) Predators of bird nests in the Neotropics: a review. Journal of Field Ornithology 88(2): 99–114. https://doi.org/10.1111/jofo.12203

[19] Ramiro LSS, Batalla JF (2018) Ecologia alimentar de Pulsatrix koeniswaldiana (Bertoni & Bertoni, 1901) em uma área sob influência antrópica em Ubatuba-SP. Observações preliminares. UNISANTA Bioscience 7(2): 126–132

[20] Ribeiro-Silva L, Perrella DF, Biagolini-Jr CH, Zima PVQ, Piratelli AJ, Schlindwein MN, Galetti Junior PM, Francisco MR (2018) Testing camera traps as a potential tool for detecting nest predation of birds in a tropical rainforest environment. Zoologia 35: e14678. https://doi.org/10.3897/zoologia.35.e14678

[21] Rohner C, Doyle FI (1992) Food-stressed Great-horned Owl kills adult goshawk: exceptional observation or community process? Journal of Raptor Research 26(4): 261–263

[22] Salvador SA, Bodrati A (2014) Observaciones sobre una colonia de cría del Boyero Cacique (Cacicus haemorrhous) en Misiones, Argentina. Nuestras Aves 59: 47–49

[23] Southern LK, Patton SR, Southern WE (1982) Nocturnal predation on Larus gulls. Colonial Waterbirds 5: 169–172

[24] Southern LK, Southern WE (1979) Absence of nocturnal predator defense mechanisms in breeding gulls. Proceedings of the Colonial Waterbird Group 2: 157–162

[25] Tella JL, Mañosa S (1993) Eagle Owl predation on Egyptian Vulture and Northern Goshawk: Possible effect of a decrease in European rabbit availability. Journal of Raptor Research 27(2): 111–112

[26] Weidinger K (2009) Nest predators of woodland open-nesting songbirds in central Europe. Ibis 151: 352–360

[27] Wu JX, Harbison MA, Beilke S, Saha P, Bateman BL (2025) A focus on females can improve science and conservation. Ibis 167: 819–827. https://doi.org/10.1111/ibi.13386