An Observation of Predation by Japanese Sparrowhawk Accipiter gularis on a Fledgling of a Gound nesting Species, Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus

Abstract

This paper reports an observation of predation by Japanese Spparowhawk Accipter gularis on the fledgling of a Red-flanked Bluetail, a ground nesting species. The predation was observed at the 5^th station of Mt. Fuji, in Subashiri, Shizuoka prefecture. The Red-flanked bluetail had just fledged that day, and was hiding under a dead tree when taken by the Sparrowhawk. The sparrowhawk was clearly identified as the predator after being caught in a mist-net along with the dead bluetail.