On the other hand, prey density in urban areas has also shown to be positively associated to raptor presence and abundance in urban areas. However, the breeding density of the Kestrel ( Falco tinnunculus) in Rome (Italy) has been shown to be the highest in the urban center. For example, the Cooper’s Hawk ( Accipiter cooperii) in North America and the Eurasian Sparrowhawk ( Accipiter nisus) in Europe have both been positively related to low-density residential areas and large urban parks, respectively. Raptors in urban environments have shown to be associated positively to green area cover. City colonization events have been described in the Northern Hemisphere, whereas in the Southern Hemisphere, case studies are lacking. In general, the process of city colonization by raptors has been associated with an increase of prey abundance in urban areas and unfavorable conditions in rural areas, such as raptor persecution or a harsh climate. The understanding of city colonization by raptors is important because it provides an opportunity to analyze invasion dynamics and promote efficient wildlife conservation in urban environments. ĭue to the lack of long-term data, the establishment of raptor populations in cities has been scarcely documented. For example, studies conducted on burrowing owls ( Athene cunicularia) and Mississipi kites ( Ictinia mississippiensis) have found that urban individuals exhibit higher tolerance to human proximity than rural individuals. Moreover, the behavioral flexibility of certain raptor species is fundamental to survive in urban areas. However, some raptors species may adapt to urban areas, especially those who have a generalist diet and use semi-open or forested habitats. Urban areas expose raptors to hazards, such as collisions with structures and vehicles, intoxication, diseases, and electrocution. The continuous expansion of urban areas over natural and rural areas induces profound changes in raptor communities through habitat loss and fragmentation, decreasing raptor diversity and abundance. The results obtained suggest the importance of green areas for raptor colonization in cities. In Buenos Aires, the occurrence of the Harris Hawk in green areas was related to the proximity to other large green areas.
The Harris Hawk arrival was observed during 2019, mainly in periurban areas of Mar del Plata, and at least three pairs were breeding. Surveys of green areas in Buenos Aires were used to model the Harris Hawk occurrence in relation to green area size and isolation to other green spaces. Long-term data collected during 2002–2019, along an urbanization gradient of Mar del Plata, was used to describe the city arrival by the Harris Hawk. The objectives of this study were: (1) to describe an event of Harris Hawk ( Parabuteo unicinctus) arrival in Mar del Plata city, Argentina, and (2) to analyze its green area use in a recently colonized city, Buenos Aires.
Information about city colonization by raptors in the Southern Hemisphere is null, and studies about habitat use by raptors are scarce.
However, some species can adapt to urban areas, and the process of city colonization by raptors has been documented scarcely in the Northern Hemisphere. Urbanization has a negative impact on raptor species diversity and abundance.
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