Water-crossing Behavior of Raptors during Migration

Abstract

of the harrier' s presence.On the fifth pass the harrier seized the young crane and held it on the ground for 5-6 sec.An adult crane approached within 3 m and the harrier flew off without the victim.Neither of the adults displayed any of the typical defensive postures described for cranes by Layne (Fla.Field Nat.9:5 l-75, 198 1).Both adults called periodically and all three cranes stayed near the victim until 12:00 when I approached the site.The attacked crane was dead, with several deep punctures at the base of the neck.The dead bird measured 67.5 cm from bill tip to base of feet and, based on size, was estimated to be 5 weeks old.Food habits of the Northern Harrier are well documented (Errington and Breckenridge,