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Common Raven ( Corvus corax ) kleptoparasitism at a Golden Eagle ( Aquila chyrsaetos ) nest in southern Nevada

Matthew Simes·Diego R. Johnson·Justin Streit·Kathleen M. Longshore·Kenneth E. Nussear·Todd C. Esque
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Abstract

The Common Raven ( Corvus corax ) is a ubiquitous species in the Mojave Desert of southern Nevada and California. From 5 to 24 May 2014, using remote trail cameras, we observed ravens repeatedly kleptoparasitizing food resources from the nest of a pair of Golden Eagles ( Aquila chyrsaetos ) in the Spring Mountains of southern Nevada. The ravens fed on nine (30%) of the 30 prey items delivered to the nest during the chick rearing period. Kleptoparasitic behavior by the ravens decreased as the eagle nestling matured to seven weeks of age, suggesting a narrow temporal window in which ravens can successfully engage in kleptoparasitic behavior at eagle nests. The observation of kleptoparasitism by Common Ravens at the nest suggests potential risks to young Golden Eagles from Common Ravens.

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Matthew Simes, Diego R. Johnson, Justin Streit, Kathleen M. Longshore, Kenneth E. Nussear, Todd C. Esque. 2017. Common Raven ( Corvus corax ) kleptoparasitism at a Golden Eagle ( Aquila chyrsaetos ) nest in southern Nevada. https://doi.org/10.1676/1559-4491-129.1.195

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