What makes an urban raptor?

Abstract

Raptor communities are negatively impacted by urbanization. However, some species can thrive in urban areas. Raptor species traits that favour their presence in urban areas have been scarcely studied. Moreover, phylogenetic relatedness may be a factor promoting raptor occurrence in urban areas. In this study, we use data gathered through citizen science in Argentina to analyse the phylogenetic signal and the drivers that correlate with raptor presence in urban settings. The mean percentage urban cover for the records of each species was considered as an index of raptor occurrence in urban areas. A total of 55 species were analysed, which accounted for 90% of the diurnal raptors of Argentina. Harris’s Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus, Pearl Kite Gampsonyx swainsonii and Chimango Caracara Milvago chimango had the highest urban index. Raptor occurrence in urban areas had a marginal phylogenetic signal, indicating a tendency for more closely related species to have similar tolerances to urbanization. The index of raptor occurrence in urban areas was highest for the most common species of non-urban areas, and was not related to traits such as body mass, diet, nesting site and migratory behaviour. Our results highlight the importance of citizen science projects in data gathering at large geographical scales.