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1 December 2017 Northern Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula) Scavenges and Defends a Lynx (Lynx canadensis) Carcass in Winter
Michael J. L. Peers, Stan Boutin
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Abstract

Scavenging has been increasingly documented for difficult to observe species through advances in motion-triggered photography. Here, we document several instances of scavenging over multiple days by a Northern Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula) on a Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) carcass. These observations are of particular interest because the owl visited the carcass 25 times, with the longest visit lasting >3 hrs. In addition, the owl routinely defended the carcass against Black-billed Magpies (Pica hudsonia). These observations suggest scavenging may represent a larger role in the diet of Northern Hawk Owls; further research is required in order to understand its importance for this and other raptor species.

Michael J. L. Peers and Stan Boutin "Northern Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula) Scavenges and Defends a Lynx (Lynx canadensis) Carcass in Winter," The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 129(4), 875-878, (1 December 2017). https://doi.org/10.1676/16-170.1
Received: 29 September 2016; Accepted: 1 March 2017; Published: 1 December 2017
KEYWORDS
Canada lynx
carrion
Northern Hawk Owl
scavenging
Surnia ulula
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