Accipiter predation of American Redstart nestlings

Abstract

We used small video cameras to film predators at nests of American Redstarts (Setophaga ruticilla). We filmed three predation events, all by accipitrine hawks, in which no signs of predation were left at nests. Hence, as suggested by other workers, predator identification based on signs left at nests is unreliable. In addition, predation rates may be under-estimated if accipiters or other predators take nestlings just prior to fledging without leaving signs. These incidents may be interpreted by field workers as nests where young fledged successfully.