RESPONSES OF AN AVIAN SCAVENGING GUILD TO ANGLERS

We experimentally examined the responses of an avian scavenging guild (bald eagles Haliaetus leucocephalus, common ravens Corvus corax, and American crows Corvus brachyrhynchos) to anglers in Washington, USA. We hypothesized that anglers did not influence the numbers, behaviour, and diurnal distribution of avian scavengers. We rejected our null hypothesis as there were differences in both numbers, behavior and diurnal distribution of scavengers present at sites during fishing days when compared with nonfishing days. The presence/absence of scanvengers as independent of presence/absence of anglers. When scavengers were present, however, anglers influenced either the total number present, the number perched in trees, or the number on the ground. Finally, anglers altered the diurnal patterns of each species.