Six graduates of the Boise State University Master of Science in Raptor Biology program contributed their raptor research findings in collaboration with The Peregrine Fund for the publication of Neotropical Birds of Prey, edited by David Whitacre.
From Cornell University Press: “The Peregrine Fund conducted a significant eight-year-long research program on the raptor species, including owls, in Tikal National Park in Guatemala to learn more about Neotropical birds of prey. Impressive and unprecedented in scale, this pioneering research also involved the development of new methods for detecting, enumerating, and studying these magnificent but often elusive birds in their forest home. Beautifully illustrated with photographs of previously little-known species, the resulting book is the most important single source for information on the lowland tropical forest raptor species found in Central America. Neotropical Birds of Prey covers twenty specific species in depth, including the Ornate Hawk-Eagle, the Barred Forest-Falcon, the Bat Falcon, and the Mexican Wood Owl, offering thorough synopses of all current knowledge regarding breeding biology and behavior, diet, habitat use, and spatial needs. Contributors to this landmark work also show how the populations fit together as a community with overlapping habitat and prey needs that can put them in competition with reptiles and mammalian carnivores as well, yet differ from one another in their nesting or feeding behaviors and population dynamics. The work’s substantive original data offer interesting comparisons between tropical and temperate zone species and provide a basis for establishing conservation measures based on firsthand research. Making available for the first time new data on the biology, ecology, behavior, and conservation of the majestic owls and raptors of the New World tropics, this book will appeal to a wide ornithological readership, especially the many raptor enthusiasts around the world.”
The 432-page book was originally published on May 15, 2012, and is illustrated with photographs of each of the species in their native habitats. It may be ordered online from Cornell University Press.
Contributors in bold below are Boise State University M.S. Raptor Biology alumni:
Chapter 3 – Gray-headed Kite: Russell K. Thorstrom (MS, Raptor Biology, ’93), David F. Whitacre, Juventino López, and Gregorio López
Chapter 5 – Swallow-tailed Kite: Richard P. Gerhardt (MS, Raptor Biology, ’91), Dawn M. (McAnnis) Gerhardt (MS, Raptor Biology, ’91), and Miguel A. Vásquez
Chapter 8 – Bicolored Hawk: Russell K. Thorstrom
Chapter 9 – Crane Hawk: Jason Sutter (MS, Raptor Biology, ’00)
Chapter 10 – White Hawk: Richard P. Gerhardt, Nathaniel E. Seavy, and Ricardo A. Madrid
Chapter 12 – Roadside Hawk: Theresa Panasci (MS, Raptor Biology, ’95)
Chapter 16 – Barred Forest Falcon: Russell K. Thorstrom
Chapter 17 – Collared Forest Falcon: Russell K. Thorstrom
Chapter 18 – Laughing Falcon: Margaret N. Parker (MS, Raptor Biology, ’97), Angel M. Enamorado, and Mario Lima
Chapter 19 – Bat Falcon: Margaret N. Parker and David F. Whitacre
Chapter 21 – Mexican Wood Owl: Richard P. Gerhardt and Dawn M. Gerhardt
Chapter 22 – Black-and-white Owl: Richard P. Gerhardt, Dawn M. Gerhardt, Normandy Bonilla, and Craig J. Flatte