Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus bird hunting behaviour and capture success in northern Cameroon

Abstract

Detailed observations were made of Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus behaviour when hunting birds, the bird prey species and bird capture success in northern Cameroon. Four hunting strategies are described to capture birds: fast contour flight, overt approach with rapid acceleration, covert ambush, and stoop from flight. Capture success of 149 bird capture attempts by 47 Pallid Harriers was 18.8%, but it differed with hunting strategy used. Covert ambush and overt approach strategies were more successful compared to fast contour flight. Red-billed Quelea was the most commonly targeted and captured bird prey.