the levant sparrowhawk ( accipiter brevipes ) is a small bird of prey .

it measures 32 – 38 cm ( 13 – 15 in ) in length with a wingspan of 65 – 75 cm ( 26 – 30 in ) .

the adult male is blue-grey above , with dark wingtips , and barred reddish below .

the adult female is slate-grey above with darkish wingtips .

the juvenile is dark brown above and has dark-streaked underparts .

it shows a dark throat line .

the normal clutch is 3 – 5 eggs .

it is similar to the eurasian sparrowhawk , but its shorter tail and more pointed wings give it a more falcon-like appearance .

the call is a sharp kee-wick .

levant sparrowhawk

, the levant sparrowhawk prefers deciduous forests [ mebs & schmidt 2006 , grin 2010 ] .
bu aramada levant sparrowhawk kelimesinin sözlük anlamı ve eşanlamı nedir , nasıl okunur hakkında bilgi verilmektedir . levant sparrowhawk kelimesinin etimolojik ve eşanlamları ile ilgili açıklamalar ve bilgiler eksiksiz ve hatasız olarak anılmamalıdır . burada yer alan levant sparrowhawk kelimesi ile ilgili tüm açıklamalar bilgi amaçlıdır . eksik ve hatalı çevirileri lütfen bildiriniz . more
the levant sparrowhawk is a very secretive species and therefore is hard to count . more research is needed here .
gorman g 1 998 : the status of levant sparrowhawk in europe . alula 4 : 1 44 - 1 47 .
, the levant sparrowhawk is a strictly migratory species . it leaves it ' s european breeding range in the second half of august and the first half of september [ mebs & schmidt 2006 ] . the levant sparrowhawk migrates in small flocks ( the
levant sparrowhawk - a species for which we know not much about . . . we have some idea that they . . . more
[ grin 2010 ] global raptor information network . 2010 . species account : levant sparrowhawk accipiter brevipes . downloaded from urltoken on 11 dec 2010
recommended citation : global raptor information network . 2018 . species account : levant sparrowhawk accipiter brevipes . downloaded from urltoken on 9 jul . 2018
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while there are currently no specific conservation measures in place for the levant sparrowhawk ( 1 ) , it occurs in several protected areas ( 7 ) .
bankovics a 1 991 : levant sparrowhawk ( accipiter brevipes , sev . 1 850 ) at the péteri - lake . aquila 98 : 1 87 .
the levant sparrowhawk is classified as least concern . does not qualify for a more at risk category . widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category .
the levant sparrowhawk nests in trees , building a new nest , lined with green leaves , each year . the normal clutch is 3 - 5 egs .
breuer g 1 955 : kishéja a dunántúlon [ the levant sparrowhawk in the dunántúl area ] . aquila 59 - 62 : 379 . [ in hungarian ]
the levant sparrowhawk is classified as least concern ( lc ) on the iucn red list ( 1 ) and listed on appendix ii of cites ( 3 ) .
in europe only in the south - east . the levant sparrowhawk can be found on the balkan , in russia , ukraine , turkey and eastwards to iran .
aspects of the topic levant sparrowhawk are discussed in the following places at britannica . assorted references * description ( in sparrowhawk ( hawk group ) ) . . . dark gray above and brown barred white below , is a common inhabitant of wooded areas throughout europe , in coastal northwestern africa , and in temperate to sub - arctic forests of asia . the levant sparrowhawk , or shikra ( a . more
the levant sparrowhawk ( accipiter brevipes ) is a small bird of prey in the family accipitridae which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as eagles , buzzards and harriers .
the levant sparrowhawk ( accipiter brevipes ) is a small bird of prey in the family accipitridae which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as eagles , buzzards and harriers .
greschik j 1 934 : kis héja : accipiter brevipes severtz . mohácson [ the levant sparrowhawk accipiter brevipes at mohács ] . kócsag 7 : 73 . [ in hungarian ]
numbers may have had a negative effect on the levant sparrowhawk population . along the migration route in israel the number of migrating individuals also declined [ mebs & schmidt 2006 ] .
the levant sparrowhawk ( accipiter brevipes ) is a small bird of prey in the family accipitridae which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as eagles , buzzards and harriers . more
filmed at neot smadar israel 26 . 4 . 2013 latin name : accipiter brevipes levant sparrowhawk is a migrant spices in israel and about 80 , 000 are passing twice a year trough israel
levant sparrowhawk is 30 - 37 cm long with a 63 - 76 cm wingspan . the female is larger than the male , but the difference is not as marked as with sparrowhawk . the adult male is blue - grey above , with dark wingtips , and barred reddish below .
the levant sparrowhawk ( accipiter brevipes ) is a small bird of prey in the family accipitridae which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as eagles , buzzards and harriers . it breeds in forests from greece and the balkans east to southern russia . it is migratory , wintering from egypt across to southwestern iran . it will migrate in large flocks , unlike the more widespread eurasian sparrowhawk the levant sparrowhawk nests in trees , building a new nest , lined with green leaves , each year . more
[ birdlife international 2004 ] birdlife international . 2004 . birds in europe : population estimates , trends and conservation status . birdlife interntional . cambridge , uk . ( levant sparrowhawk species account available at :
the levant sparrowhawk has been recorded over a large range , from south - east europe , east through southern russia to western kazakhstan ( 2 ) , and south through the middle east to the united arab emirates ( 1 ) ( 2 ) ( 5 ) . a migratory species , the levant sparrowhawk is believed to spend the winter in the east sahel zone of sub - saharan africa ( 2 ) .
tóth i , marik p & forgách b 1 998 : a kis héja fészkelése békés megyében [ breeding of the levant sparrowhawk in békés county ] . crisicum 1 : 229 - 242 . [ in hungarian ]
levant sparrowhawk is 30–37 cm ( 12–15 in ) long with a 63–76 cm ( 25–30 in ) wingspan . the female is larger than the male , but the difference is not as marked as with eurasian sparrowhawk . the adult male is blue - grey above , with dark wingtips , and barred reddish below .
mészáros c 201 0 : a kis héja els . bizonyított fészkelése csongrád megyében [ the first documented breeding of the levant sparrowhawk in the csongrád county ] . heliaca 7 : 11 5 . [ in hungarian with english summary ] mészáros c & tóth i 201 0 : kis héja állomány adatok - 2009 [ accounts on the status of the levant sparrowhawk - 2009 ] . heliaca 7 [ 2009 ] : 69 . [ in hungarian with english summary ]
small ( l 30 cm ) and slender sparrowhawk with difference in size and in colour between sexes . the levant sparrowhawk is highly selective in its choice of nesting habitats , rarely occurring outside of fragmented deciduous forest alterning with open grasslands , primarly along river valleys . the principal food comprises lizards , small fledging birds and large insectes . resident .
the levant sparrowhawk is commonly encountered alone or in a pair around clearings on the edges of woods and sometimes on the outskirts of human settlements . an efficient predator , this species mainly consumes large insects , such as beetles , grasshoppers and locusts , as well as lizards , a variety of small birds , and mice and voles . while most hunting occurs during the day , the levant sparrowhawk has also been observed feeding on agile , aerial prey such as bats at dusk ( 2 ) .
aradi c 1 964 : levant sparrow hawk nesting in the nagyerd . ofdebrecen . aquila 69 - 70 : 250 - 251 .
endes m 1 992 : kis héja ( accipiter brevipes sev . ) „adataim“ - némi apropóval [ my “data” on the levant sparrowhawk ( accipiter brevipes ) - with a little apropos ] . calandrella 6 ( 1 ) : 33 - 37 . [ in hungarian ]
it is migratory , wintering from egypt across to southwestern iran . it will migrate in large flocks , unlike the more widespread sparrowhawk
a handsome , small - bodied bird of prey , the levant sparrowhawk can be distinguished by its barred underparts and striking , dark red eyes . the sexes differ in size and plumage colouration , with the male being significantly smaller than the female and . . . more
the levant sparrowhawk feeds on small birds , small mammals like voles and lizards . large insects and even bat are also taken . hunts either from a perch or from flight low above the ground and then surprises the victim [ mebs & schmidt 2006 , grin 2010 ] .
the levant sparrowhawk , or shikra ( a . bre vipes ) , is gray above and brown barred white below . it occurs from southeastern europe throughout most of continental southern asia and subequatorial africa . for the small falcon called sparrow hawk in the united states , see kestrel .
levant sparrowhawk is being thoroughly studied at the international birding and research centre in eilat ( israel ) during migration . 4 . 25average : 4 . 3 ( 4 votes ) your rating : none voting is for registered members only . please login or create a new account . more
the levant sparrowhawk nests in trees , building a new nest , lined with green leaves , each year . the normal clutch is 3–5 eggs . it hunts small birds , insects and lizards in woodland , relying on surprise as it flies from a perch to catch its prey unaware .
kunysz p 1 992 : pierwsze stwierdzenie krogulca krótkonogiego ( accipiter brevipes ) na ziemiach polskich [ first record of a levant sparrowhawk ( accipiter brevipes ) in poland ] . notatki ornitologiczne 33 ( 1 - 2 ) : 1 57 - 1 59 . [ in polish with english summary ]
kovács g 2004 : kis héja accipiter brevipes ( severtzov , 1 850 ) [ the levant sparrowhawk accipiter brevipes ( severtzov , 1 850 ) ] , 21 2 . in : ecsedi z ( ed ) , a hortobágy madárvilága [ the birds of hortobágy ] . hortobágy természetvédelmi egyesület , winter fair .
there are no known major threats to the levant sparrowhawk’s survival at present . although this species’ global population size and trends are not well known , it is estimated to number between 10 , 000 and 100 , 000 individuals , and does not appear to be undergoing a significant decline ( 1 ) ( 2 ) .
the levant sparrowhawk typically occurs in wooded plains , particularly within river basins , as well as amongst foothills and mountain slopes . in the caucasus mountains this species can be found up to elevations of 1 , 000 metres , although in armenia , it has been recorded as high as 2 , 000 metres ( 2 ) .
stark , h . and liechti , f . ( 2008 ) do levant sparrowhawks accipiter brevipes also migrate at night ? . ibis , 135 : 233 - 236 .
marik p , forgách b , tóth i & t . gye j 1 997 : megfigyelések a kis héja ( accipiter brevipes ) újabb magyarországi fészkelésével kapcsolatban [ notes on the recent breeding of levant sparrowhawk ( accipiter brevipes ) in hungary ] . túzok 2 ( 2 ) : 49 - 59 . [ in hungarian with english summary ]
the remaining habitat must be protected and destroyed habitat should be restored where possible . killing of levant sparrowhawks in the wintering quarters and along the migration route must be stopped .
bela g & typiak j 2011 : pierwsze stwierdzenie krogulca krótkonogiego accipiter brevipes na pomorzu [ the first occurrence of the levant sparrowhawk accipiter brevipes in pomoria ] . ptaki pomorza 2 : 1 41 - 1 43 . [ in polish with english summary ] bijlsma rg 1 997 : accipiter brevipes lewant sparrowhawk , 1 58 . in : hagemeijer ejm & blair mju ( eds ) , the ebcc atlas of european breeding birds : their distribution and abundance . t & ad ; poyser , london , 903 .
the levant sparrowhawk ( accipiter brevipes ) is a small bird of prey in the family accipitridae which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as eagles , buzzards and harriers . range / distribution : it breeds in forests from greece and the balkans east to southern russia . it is migratory , wintering from egypt across to southwestern iran . more
levant sparrowhawk is 30 - 37 cm long with a 63 - 76 cm wingspan . the female is larger than the male , but the difference is not as marked as with sparrowhawk . the adult male is blue - grey above , with dark wingtips , and barred reddish below . the adult female is slate - grey above with darkish wingtips . she is barred reddish brown below , and may show a dark throat line . the juvenile is dark brown above and has dark - streaked underparts it shows a dark throat line . more
a handsome , small - bodied bird of prey , the levant sparrowhawk can be distinguished by its barred underparts and striking , dark red eyes . the sexes differ in size and plumage colouration , with the male being significantly smaller than the female and possessing dull blue - grey upperparts , along with a pale breast and belly which are lightly marked with pinkish or reddish bars . in contrast , the female is brown above with heavily barred underparts and a dark streak on the throat . the juvenile resembles the adult female , but has streaked rather than barred underparts and a pale spot on the nape ( 2 ) . the levant sparrowhawk produces a shrill “keeveck - veck - veck” , which is uncharacteristic of sparrowhawks and more akin to the call of the tawny owl ( 4 ) .
other species : pandion haliaetus : osprey ; gyps fulvus : griffon vulture ; neophron percnopterus : egyptian vulture ; circaetus gallicus : short - toed snake eagle ; circus macrourus : pallid harrier ; circus pygargus : montagu ' s harrier ; circus aeruginosus : western marsh harrier ; accipiter brevipes : levant sparrowhawk ; accipiter nisus : eurasian sparrowhawk ; buteo buteo : common buzzard ; buteo rufinus : long - legged buzzard ; aquila pomarina : lesser spotted eagle ; aquila heliaca : eastern imperial eagle ; hieraaetus pennatus : booted eagle ; falco naumanni : lesser kestrel ; falco tinnunculus : common kestrel ; falco subbuteo : eurasian hobby .
it breeds in forests from greece and the balkans east to southern russia . it is migratory , wintering from egypt across to southwestern iran . it will migrate in large flocks , unlike the more widespread eurasian sparrowhawk
orta , j . & marks , j . s . ( 2018 ) . levant sparrowhawk ( accipiter brevipes ) . in : del hoyo , j . , elliott , a . , sargatal , j . , christie , d . a . & de juana , e . ( eds . ) . handbook of the birds of the world alive . lynx edicions , barcelona . ( retrieved from urltoken on 9 july 2018 ) .
it breeds in forests from greece and the balkans east to southern russia . it is migratory , wintering from egypt across to southwestern iran . it will migrate in large flocks , unlike the more widespread eurasian sparrowhawk .
the adult levant sparrow - hawks feed mostly on small birds and small ground mammals , plus occasionally bats . the immatures eat many insects . adults also occasionally eat insects . prey is seized either from the ground or in flight .
on may 1 5 , 201 2 an individual of levant sparrowhawk accipiter brevipes was observed at the southern edge of trebišov town in eastern slovakia , situated in the východoslovenská rovina lowlands . the sighting was documented with photographs . this is the first recorded occurrence of this species in terms of the bird fauna of slovakia . the present article describes in detail its distribution and breeding in eastern hungary and western romania , based on an isolated population in the pannonian basin at the north - western edge of its breeding range . the occurrence of the levant sparrowhawk beyond the boundaries of its breeding range and outside the pannonian basin consists mostly of rare movements by young individuals ( northern moravia , central and northern poland ) far north of its breeding range . an adult male was observed in south - eastern poland in the pre - breeding period , and in slovakia an adult female was observed in the breeding period .
egg - laying takes place during may and early june , with a clutch of three to five eggs deposited in a nest constructed from sticks and twigs , which is placed on a tree branch . the eggs are incubated by the female levant sparrowhawk for around 30 to 35 days , while the male brings food . the chicks fledge after around 45 days , but remain dependent on the parent birds for several weeks afterwards . sexual maturity is reached at one year old ( 2 ) .
a handsome , small - bodied bird of prey , the levant sparrowhawk can be distinguished by its barred underparts and striking , dark red eyes . the sexes differ in size and plumage colouration , with the male being significantly smaller than the female and possessing dull blue - grey upperparts , along with a pale breast and belly which are lightly marked with pinkish or reddish bars . in contrast , the female is brown above with heavily barred underparts and a dark streak on the throat . more
this bird is a small raptor with short broad wings and a longish tail , both adaptations to manoeuvring through trees . it is similar to the sparrowhawk , but its shorter tail and more pointed wings give it a more falcon - like appearance .
the levant sparrowhawk leaves the breeding grounds in september , migrating south to its african wintering grounds ( 2 ) . during migration , large flocks may form , which travel by day and by night and hunt together . as a trade - off between conserving energy and reducing time spent migrating , this species employs a combination of passive soaring and gliding , as well as energetic flapping flight . the latter technique is particularly used towards the end of migration when individuals become separated from the main migratory stream ( 6 ) .
this bird is a small raptor with short broad wings and a longish tail , both adaptations to manoeuvring through trees . it is similar to the eurasian sparrowhawk , but its shorter tail and more pointed wings give it a more falcon - like appearance .
other species : pandion haliaetus : osprey ; gyps fulvus : griffon vulture ; neophron percnopterus : egyption vulture ; circaetus gallicus : short - toed snake eagle ; circus cyaneus : northern harrier ; circus macrourus : pallid harrier ; circus pygargus : montagu ' s harrier ; circus aeruginosus : western marsh harrier ; accipiter brevipes : levant sparrowhawk ; accipiter nisus : eurasian sparrowhawk ; accipiter gentilis : northern goshawk ; buteo rufinus : long - legged buzzard ; buteo lagopus : rough - legged hawk ; aquila pomarina : lesser spotted eagle ; aquila clanga : greater spotted eagle ; aquila nipalensis : steppe eagle ; hieraaetus pennatus : booted eagle ; falco naumanni : lesser kestrel ; falco tinnunculus : common kestrel ; falco vespertinus ; red - footed falcon ; falco subbuteo : eurasian hobby ; falco cherrug : saker falcon .
other species : pandion haliaetus : osprey ; pernis apivorus : european honey buzzard ; haliaeetus albicilla : white - tailed eagle ; gyps fulvus : griffon vulture ; neophron percnopterus : egyptian vulture ; gypaetus barbatus : bearded vulture ; circus cyaneus : northern harrier ; circus macrourus : pallid harrier ; circus pygargus : montagu ' s harrier ; circus aeruginosus : western marsh harrier ; accipiter brevipes : levant sparrowhawk ; accipiter nisus : eurasian sparrowhawk ; accipiter gentilis : northern goshawk ; buteo rufinus : long - legged buzzard ; aquila clanga : greater spotted eagle ; aquila nipalensis : steppe eagle ; aquila heliaca : eastern imperial eagle ; aquila chrysaetos : golden eagle ; hieraaetus fasciatus : bonelli ' s eagle ; hieraaetus pennatus : booted eagle ; falco naumanni : lesser kestrel ; falco tinnunculus : common kestrel ; falco vespertinus : red - footed falcon ; falco columbarius : merlin ; falco subbuteo : eurasian hobby ; falco cherrug : saker falcon ; falco peregrinus : peregrine falcon .
other species : pandion haliaetus : osprey ; milvus migrans : black kite ; gyps fulvus : griffon vulture ; neophron percnopterus : egyptian vulture ; circaetus gallicus : short - toed snake eagle ; circus cyaneus : northern harrier ; circus macrourus : pallid harrier ; circus pygargus : montagu ' s harrier ; circus aeruginosus : western marsh harrier ; accipiter brevipes : levant sparrowhawk ; accipiter nisus : eurasian sparrowhawk ; accipiter gentilis : northern goshawk ; buteo buteo : common buzzard ; buteo rufinus : long - legged buzzard ; aquila clanga : greater spotted eagle ; aquila nipalensis : steppe eagle ; aquila heliaca : eastern imperial eagle ; aquila chrysaetos : golden eagle ; hieraaetus fasciatus : bonelli ' s eagle ; hieraaetus pennatus : booted eagle ; falco naumanni : lesser kestrel ; falco tinnunculus : common kestrel ; falco vespertinus : red - footed falcon ; falco eleonora e : eleonora ' s falcon ; falco columbarius : merlin ; falco subbuteo : eurasian hobby ; falco biarmicus : lanner falcon ; falco cherrug : saker falcon ; falco peregrinus : peregrine falcon .
movements : complete long distance migrant ( bildstein 2006 ) , with birds moving through the eastern mediterranean basin and the sinai peninsula , egypt , sudan , and arabia , and wintering in sub - saharan africa . migrates in small flocks instead of singly , as is the case with the eurasian sparrowhawk ( nikolaus 1984 ) . more . . . .
other species : pandion haliaetus : osprey ; milvus milvus : black kite ; haliaeetus albicilla : white - tailed eagle ; aegypius monachus : cinereous vulture ; gyps fulvus : griffon vulture ; neophron percnopterus : egyptian vulture ; circaetus gallicus : short - toed snake eagle ; circus cyaneus : northern harrier ; circus macrourus : pallid harrier ; circus pygargus : montagu ' s harrier ; circus aeruginosus : western marsh harrier ; accipiter brevipes : levant sparrowhawk ; accipiter nisus : eurasian sparrowhawk ; accipiter gentilis : northern goshawk ; buteo rufinus : long - legged buzzard ; buteo lagopus : rough - legged hawk ; aquila clanga : greater spotter eagle ; aquila heliacal : eastern imperial eagle ; aquila chrysaetos : golden eagle ; aquila nipalensis : steppe eagle ; hieraaetus fasciatus : bonelli ' s eagle ; hieraaetus pennatus : booted eagle ; falco naumanni : lesser kestrel ; falco tinnunculus : common kestrel ; falco vespertinus : red - footed falcon ; falco eleonorae : eleonora ' s falcon ; falco columbarius : merlin ; falco subbuteo : eurasian hobby ; falco biarmicus : lanner falcon ; falco cherrug : saker falcon ; falco peregrinus : peregrine falcon .
other species : pandion haliaetus : osprey ; pernis apivorus : european honey buzzard ; milvus milvus : red kite ; milvus migrans : black kite ; aegypius monachus : cinereous vulture ; gyps fulvus : griffon vulture ; neophron percnopterus : egyptian vulture ; gypaetus barbatus : bearded vulture ; circaetus gallicus : short - toed snake eagle ; circus cyaneus : northern harrier ; circus macroucus : pallid harrier ; circus pygargus : montagu ' s harrier ; circus aeruginosus : western marsh harrier ; accipiter brevipes : levant sparrowhawk ; accipiter nisus : eurasian sparrowhawk ; accipiter gentilis : northern goshawk ; buteo rufinus : long - legged buzzard ; aquila pomarina : lesser spotted eagle ; aquila clanga : greater spotted eagle ; aquila nipalensis : steppe eagle ; aquila heliaca : eastern imperial eagle ; aquila chrysaetos ; golden eagle ; hieraaetus fasciatus : bonelli ' s eagle ; hieraaetus pennatus : booted eagle ; falco naumanni : lesser kestrel ; falco tinnunculus : common kestrel ; falco vespertinus : red - footed falcon ; falco eleonorae : eleonora ' s falcon ; falco concolor : sooty falcon ; falco columbarius : merlin ; falco subbuteo : eurasian hobby ; falco biarmicus ; lanner falcon ; falco peregrinus : peregrine falcon ; falco pelegrinoides : barbary falcon .
other species : pandion haliaetus : osprey ; pernis apivorus : european honey buzzard ; milvus migrans : black kite ; gyps fulvus : griffon vulture ; neophron percnopterus : egyptian vulture ; circaetus gallicus : short - toed snake eagle ; circus macroucus : pallid harrier ; circus pygargus : montagu ' s harrier ; circus aeruginosus : western marsh harrier ; accipiter brevipes : levant sparrowhawk ; buteo rufinus : long - legged buzzard ; aquila pomarina : lesser spotted eagle ; aquila clanga : greater spotted eagle ; aquila heliaca : eastern imperial eagle ; hieraaetus fasciatus : bonelli ' s eagle ; hieraaetus pennatus : booted eagle ; falco naumanni : lesser kestrel ; falco tinnunculus : common kestrel ; falco vespertinus : red - footed falcon ; falco eleonorae : eleonora ' s falcon ; falco subbuteo : eurasian hobby ; falco biarmicus : lanner falcon ; falco cherrug : saker falcon ; falco peregrinus : peregrine falcon .
habitat and habits : during the breeding season , it prefers river valleys and wooded gorges , abandoned walnut and apricot orchards , stands of willows , and scattered groves of trees ( adamian and klem 1999 ) . more of a ground hunter than the eurasian sparrowhawk , relatively slow in flight , but more maneuverable in highly vegetated habitat ( baumgart 2006 ) . alternates between gliding and flapping when increasing speed or height ( adamian and klem op cit . ) . more . . . .
other species : pandion haliaetus : osprey ; milvus milvus : red kite ; gyps fulvus : griffon vulture ; neophron percnopterus : egyptian vulture ; circus cyaneus : northern harrier ; circus pygargus : montagu ' s harrier ; circua aeruginosus : western marsh harrier ; accipiter nisus : eurasian sparrowhawk ; accipiter gentilis : northern goshawk ; buteo buteo : common buzzard ; falco naumanni : lesser kestrel ; falco tinnunculus : common kestrel ; falco columbarius : merlin ; falco subbuteo : eurasian hobby ; falco peregrinus : peregrine falcon .
the males are particularly striking at close range , with their plain blue faces and red eyes and the juveniles have distinctive lines of dark spots down their underparts . the females are basically similar to a female sparrowhawk but with a neat dark stripe down the middle of the chin . in flight , their gregarious behaviour is usually enough to identify them but you ' ll also notice that the males in the flock are conspicuously pale below with contrastingly dark wingtips . even if plumage details aren ' t visible , lone birds can be identified by their shapes , since , compared to common sparrowhawks , their wings are longer and more pointed , almost falcon - like .
other species : pandion haliaetus : osprey ; milvus milvus : red kite ; milvus migrans : black kite ; neophron percnopterus : egyptian vulture ; gyps fulvus : griffon vulture ; circaetus gallicus : short - toed snake eagle ; circus cyaneus : northern harrier ; circus macrourus : pallid harrier ; circus pygargus : montagu ' s harrier ; circus aeruginosus : western marsh harrier ; accipiter nisus : eurasian sparrowhawk ; buteo buteo : common buzzard ; buteo rufinus : long - legged buzzard ; aquila clanga : great spotted eagle ; aquila nipalensis : steppe eagle ; aquila heliaca : eastern imperial eagle ; hieraaetus fasciatus : bonelli ' s eagle ; hieraaetus pennatus : booted eagle ; falco vespertinus : red - footed falcon ; falco eleonorae : eleonora ' s falcon ; falco columbarius : merlin ; falco subbuteo : eurasian hobby ; falco biarmicus : lanner falcon ; falco cherrug : saker falcon ; falco peregrinus : peregrine falcon .
the levant sparrow - hawk is sexually mature in its first year and will breed with traces of immature plumage still showing . the nests are built in belts of trees along river valleys , usually in broad - leaved trees , and fifteen to thirty feet from the ground . they are small loose structures of sticks about one foot across and a few inches deep , with the cup lined with green leaves . a new one is built each year . in may three to five eggs are laid at one - day intervals . they are pale bluish green , with small markings of grey and brown , and after incubation appear greyish white . the female incubates , beginning with the first egg . the period is probably between 30 and 35 days . the young hatch in early june , and leave the nest in august , after a fledging period of 40 - 45 days . whilst in the nest they are fed by both parents . they remain in the vicinity of the nest for a couple of weeks after fledging , and then migrate southwards . between two and five young per nest are successfully reared , the numbers fluctuating each season .
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cramp , s . and simmons , k . e . l . ( eds ) . 1977 - 1994 . handbook of the birds of europe , the middle east and africa . the birds of the western palearctic . oxford university press , oxford .
justification : this species has an extremely large range , and hence does not approach the thresholds for vulnerable under the range size criterion ( extent of occurrence < 20 , 000 km 2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size , habitat extent / quality , or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation ) . the population trend appears to be stable , and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for vulnerable under the population trend criterion ( > 30 % decline over ten years or three generations ) . the population size may be moderately small to large , but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for vulnerable under the population size criterion ( < 10 , 000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be > 10 % in ten years or three generations , or with a specified population structure ) . for these reasons the species is evaluated as least concern .
the population is estimated to number in the tens of thousands . the european population is estimated at 3 , 500 - 6 , 900 pairs , which equates to 7 , 000 - 13 , 800 mature individuals ( birdlife international 2015 ) . europe forms approximately 75 - 94 % of the global range ( birdlife international 2004 ) , so a very preliminary estimate of the global population size is 7 , 400 - 18 , 400 mature individuals , although further validation of this estimate is needed . this is placed in the band 10 , 000 - 19 , 999 mature individuals . trend justification : the population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats . in europe the population trend is unknown ( birdlife international 2015 ) .
behaviour the species is a migrant , likely wintering in sub - saharan africa ( del hoyo et al . 1994 , ferguson - lees and christie 2001 ) . birds leave their breeding grounds in september , returning in april and may . it is usually solitary , but may hunt in pairs , and travels in flocks on migration which become especially large at certain bottlenecks ( del hoyo et al . 1994 , snow and perrins 1998 ) . it is sometimes active at twilight , and frequently migrates at night using flapping flight ( del hoyo et al . 1994 , ferguson - lees and christie 2001 ) . habitat it inhabits woody plains , often near water , and usually ranges up to 1 , 000 m ( del hoyo et al . 1994 ) . diet lizards and large insects ( the latter especially in africa ) make up the majority of its diet ( del hoyo et al . 1994 ) . breeding site it nests in tree branches , preferring deciduous trees ( del hoyo et al . 1994 ) . management information deciduous forests in riparian zones appear to be the optimal habitat for this species ( del hoyo et al . 1994 ) .
it is highly vulnerable to the impacts of potential wind energy development ( strix 2012 ) . this species is considered undesirable for falconry in georgia , and many are killed after being captured by falconers who are attempting to catch other , more desirable species ( orta and marks 2014 ) . following the chernobyl nuclear accident in 1986 , the proportion of juvenile birds migrating over eilat , israel decreased , leading researchers to suggest that radioactive contamination may have resulted in a decrease in reproductive success ( yosef and fornasari 2004 ) .
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del hoyo , j . , elliott , a . and sargatal , j . ( 1994 ) handbook of the birds of the world . volume two : new world vultures to guineafowl . lynx edicions , barcelona .
peterson , r . t . , mountfort , g . and hollom , p . a . d . ( 2001 ) a field guide to the birds of britain and europe . houghton mifflin harcourt , boston .
hellyer , p . and aspinall , s . ( 2005 ) the emirates : a natural history . trident press limited , united arab emirates .
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combined with a declining or fluctuating range size , habitat extent / quality , or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation ) . the population trend appears to be stable , and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for vulnerable under the population trend criterion ( > 30 % decline over ten years or three generations ) . the population size may be moderately small to large , but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for vulnerable under the population size criterion ( < 10 , 000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be > 10 % in ten years or three generations , or with a specified population structure ) . for these reasons the species is evaluated as least concern .
recommended citation birdlife international ( 2018 ) species factsheet : accipiter brevipes . downloaded from urltoken on 09 / 07 / 2018 . recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species : birdlife international ( 2018 ) iucn red list for birds . downloaded from urltoken on 09 / 07 / 2018 .
this species and a . badius form a clade ( see a . badius ) . formerly considered conspecific with a . badius , but the two breed sympatrically in armenia # r # r ; an apparent hybrid between the two species recorded in s israel # r . monotypic .
se europe , e ukraine and sw russia e to w kazakhstan ; more locally in turkey , caucasus , iraq and iran . thought to winter mainly in e sahel zone of sub - saharan africa .
30–37 cm ; male 140–275 g , female 183–290 g ; wingspan 64–74 cm . adult male dull blue - grey above , breast and belly pale , lightly barred pinkish or . . .
typical vocalization a series of shrill
keeveek
or
kewick
phrases .
wooded plains ( particularly in river basins ) , foothills and mountain slopes . prefers to nest in . . .
lizards and large insects such as grasshoppers , locusts , beetles , cicadas , dragonflies ; also variety of small birds , including sparrows , . . .
lays in may or early jun . nest a smallish platform of sticks ( 30 cm wide , 15 cm deep ) lined with twigs and sometimes leaves , built in tree . . .
highly migratory , forming large groups at bottlenecks . most birds leave breeding areas in sept and . . .
not globally threatened ( least concern ) . cites ii . size and trend of populations insufficiently known owing in part to identification difficulties and species ' secretive . . .
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the winter quarters are in the eastern part of the sahel , maybe also in more western parts of the sahel [ mebs & schmidt 2010 ] . more research is needed here .
returns to the european breeding grounds mostly during the 2nd half of april [ mebs & schmidt 2010 ] .
nests are built in a tree , normally at heights of 6 - 12m [ grin 2010 ] . clutch size is between 3 and 5 eggs with 4 being the most common number of eggs . the eggs are incubated for 29 - 30 days , mostly by the female and the young leave the nest after 29 - 31 days [ mebs & schmidt 2006 ] .
as with other raptors , the young are fed by the parents after fledging for a while , often at their nest .
[ birdlife 2004 ] estimated the european populations to be between 3 , 200 and 7 , 700 pairs . the largest populations are found in russia ( 1 , 500 - 3 , 000 ) and greece ( 1 , 000 - 2 , 000 ) . in romania there are 60 - 90 pairs , in bulgaria 50 - 90 . turkey has 600 - 900 pairs .
the breeding population may be much higher because during migration much more birds were counted in israel . during autumn migration in 1994 , 60 , 390 ! birds were counted in the northern valley [ mebs & schmidt 2006 ] .
it is supposed that the population on the balkan has declined considerably . similar trends have been observed along the wolga river . in south - western russia , among other factors , an increase in
not much is known about the threats about this secretive raptor . habitat destruction and human persecution along the migration route and in the wintering areas are a known threat [ mebs & schmidt 2006 ] .
more research is needed to learn more about the population size in europe , it ' s population ecology and threats in the breeding areas as well as during migration and in the wintering quarters .
[ mebs & schmidt 2006 ] mebs , theodor & schmidt , daniel ( 2006 ) . die greifvögel europas , nordafrikas und vorderasiens . kosmos verlag .
forsman , dick ( 1999 ) . the raptors of europe and the middle east a handbook of field identification . poyser
mebs , theodor & schmidt , daniel ( 2006 ) . die greifvögel europas , nordafrikas und vorderasiens . kosmos verlag .
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it occurs in lowland forests near wetlands , nesting in tall trees . it feeds on unretrieved quarry , small mammals , waterbirds , frogs and snakes , hunting over swamps , wet meadows and , in estonia , over extensively managed agricultural land . breeds in deciduous woodland especially in hilly areas . occurs more widely on passage when flocks may be seen overhead .
accipiter brevipes is a patchily distributed summer visitor to south - eastern europe , which constitutes > 75 % of its global breeding range . its european breeding population is small ( as few as 3 , 200 pairs ) , but was stable between 1970 - 1990 . although the species remained stable or increased across the vast majority of its european range during 1990 - 2000 , there were declines in the sizeable population in russia , and the species underwent a moderate decline ( > 10 % ) overall . 3 600 - 5 800 breeding pairs in europe . most common in greece 1000 - 1200 , the ukraine 1000 and russia 1500 - 3000 . smaller populations exist in other south - eastern european countries . turkish population 10 - 500 . this bird inhabits south - eastern europe , from the balkan peninsula to the ural mountains . outside europe it is breeding as far east as western kazakhstan and iran . in the european union its distribution is limited to greece , where its population is estimated at 1000 - 1200 breeding pairs , its total european population being around 12000 pairs ( ebcc atlas of european breeding birds ) . being totally migratory , this species is wintering in north - eastern africa , but its exact wintering quarters are not well known .
the eu breeding population is estimated to be not over 1 , 000 pairs . the agricultural and recreational development of river valleys affects the species ' nesting and hunting habitats . this important , especially in view of the species ' small population and its rather particular habitats requirements . sharp declines in lizard populations , caused for example , by extremely low winter or spring temperatures , may also disminish the number of breeding pairs . this species has a large range , with an estimated global extent of occurrence of 10 , 000 , 000 km2 . it has a large global population estimated to be 10 , 000 - 100 , 000 individuals ( ferguson - lees et al . 2001 ) . global population trends have not been quantified , but the species is not believed to approach the thresholds for the population decline criterion of the iucn red list ( i . e . , declining more than 30 % in ten years or three generations ) . for these reasons , the species is evaluated as least concern . [ conservation status from urltoken ]
migratory . most birds leave areas in sept and return in apr or early may ; believed to winter in sub - saharan africa , but winter quarters on africa not well known . migrants concentrate around bosporus , e black sea and especially israel , where there are peaks during very short periods in second half of apr and of sept , and large groups can form ; crossing point between asia and africa probably at gulf of suez . some nocturnal migration recorded , with birds using flapping flight .
avibirds , almere , netherlands 2001 - 2012 - your source to the birds of europe . contact ? mail us : info { @ } avibirds . com
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the adult female is slate - grey above with darkish wingtips . she is barred reddish brown below , and may show a dark throat line . the juvenile is dark brown above and has dark - streaked underparts . it shows a dark throat line . the flight of this hawk is a characteristic flap – flap – glide .
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distribution : afrotropical / palearctic . southeastern europe , southwestern ukraine and southern russia east to western kazakhstan ; locally in turkey , caucasia , and iran ; winters in the sahel zone of sub - saharan africa , although the specific areas are largely unknown . more . . . .
taxonomy : forms a superspecies with a . badius and a . butleri . formerly considered to be a race of a . badius .
food and feeding behavior : adults eat small birds and mammals , and young are fed insects and small reptiles ( dal 1954 ) . on the wintering range , this species preys upon birds , lizards , large insects , and mammals , which are taken in flight or from a perch ( borrow and demey 2001 ) . adept at capturing large , vigilant lizards ( e . g . , lacerta viridis ) ( baumgart 2006 ) . more . . . .
breeding : the stick nest is placed in a tree , usually at heights of 6 - 12 m ( adamian and klem 1999 ) . nests have been found in apricot trees in armenia ( leister and sosnin 19442 , dal 1949 ) , in russian olives in kazakhstan , and in elms in turkmenistan ( adamian and klem op cit . ) . more . . . .
conservation : categorized globally as a species of
least concern
by birdlife international . more . . . .
population estimates : the european population was estimated at 4 , 100 to 4 , 900 breeding pairs by birdlife international / european bird census council ( 2000 ) and later at 3 , 200 to 7 , 700 breeding pairs ( birdlife international ( 2004 ) . more . . . .
important references : birdlife international / european bird census council . 2000 . european bird populations : estimates and trends . birdlife conservation series no . 10 . birdlife international , cambridge , uk . brown , l . h . , e . k . urban , and k . newman . 1982 . the birds of africa . vol . 1 . academic press , london . ferguson - lees , j . , and d . a . christie .
j . sargatal ( eds ) . handbook of birds of the world . vol . 2 . new world
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horse , ( equus caballus ) , a hoofed , herbivorous mammal of the family equidae . it comprises a single species , …
dog , ( canis lupus familiaris ) , domestic mammal of the family canidae ( order carnivora ) . it is a subspecies…
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it hunts small birds , insects and lizards in woodland , relying on surprise as it flies from a perch to catch its prey unaware .
the adult female is slate - grey above with darkish wingtips . she is barred reddish brown below , and may show a dark throat line .
the juvenile is dark brown above and has dark - streaked underparts it shows a dark throat line .
the flight of this hawk is a characteristic
flap – flap – glide
.
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throughout history , crows , ravens and other black birds were feared as symbols of evil or death . …
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the eu breeding population is estimated to be not over 1 , 000 pairs . the agricultural and recreational development of river valleys affects the species ' nesting and hunting habitats . this important , especially in view of the species ' small population and its rather particular habitats requirements . sharp declines in lizard populations , caused for example , by extremely low winter or spring temperatures , may also disminish the number of breeding pairs .


it is the world 's second smallest rabbit , second only to the pygmy rabbit .

it has small rounded ears , short legs , and short , thick fur and weighs approximately 390 – 600 g ( 0.86 – 1.3 lb ) .

it has a life span of 7 to 9 years .

the burrows can be as long as 5 m and as deep as 40 cm .

there are usually 2 to 3 young per litter , born in the burrows .

unlike many species of rabbits ( and similar to pikas ) , the volcano rabbit emits very high-pitched sounds instead of thumping its feet on the ground to warn other rabbits of danger .

it is crepuscular and is highly active during twilight , dawn and all times in between .

populations have been estimated to have approximately 150 – 200 colonies with a total population of 1,200 individuals over their entire range .

volcano rabbit

in addition to the volcano rabbit of mexico , pygmy rabbits are the only north american rabbit that dig their own burrows .
the volcano rabbit is one of the smallest species of rabbit in the world and is believed to be one of the most primitive rabbit species in the world . the volcano rabbit’s name is derived from its unique environment as they are only found around four prominent volcanoes in mexico , the volcano rabbit is not found anywhere else in the world .
fine structure of the parotid gland in the pika and the volcano rabbit . - pubmed - ncbi
the volcano rabbit weighs 390 - 600 g ( 0 . 86 - 1 . 3 lb ) .
the endangered volcano rabbit is endemic to the mountainous areas lying directly to the south of mexico city .
volcano rabbits tend to be found in the dense pin forests and undergrowth that covers the volcano slopes and usually at around 3000 meters in elevation .
millburn , naomi .
reasons why the volcano rabbit might be extinct
accessed july 09 , 2018 . urltoken
1987 . the volcano rabbit : a shrinking distribution and a threatened habitat . oryx 21 : 85 - 91 .
the tiny volcano rabbit , also known as the zacatuche or teporingo , is an endangered lagomorph native to mexico .
unlawful hunting activities are also a prominent factor in the endangered population status of volcano rabbits . although strictly forbidden in mexico , volcano rabbit hunting still takes place within the species ' range . some parks are even specifically designated as protective sanctuaries for their volcano rabbit residents . the hunting is common both for sustenance and target purposes .
millburn , naomi .
reasons why the volcano rabbit might be extinct .
animals - urltoken , http : / / animals . urltoken / reasons - volcano - rabbit - might - extinct - 4855 . html . accessed 09 july 2018 .
millburn , naomi . ( n . d . ) . reasons why the volcano rabbit might be extinct . animals - urltoken . retrieved from http : / / animals . urltoken / reasons - volcano - rabbit - might - extinct - 4855 . html
volcano rabbits breed throughout the year with a peak during the warm summer . after a
on el pelado volcano , méxico . journal of mammalogy 75 : 743 - 749 .
the most serious threats to the volcano rabbit are habitat degradation and target shooting . hunters looking for game birds ( such as quail ) will use the rabbit for target practice . the people living in the mountains consider it vermin to be killed off . neither the hunters or the natives eat the volcano rabbit .
sadly the volcano rabbit population is currently in decline mostly because of their habitat being so close to mexico city . due to being so close to humans the volcano rabbit’s are losing their habitat to human expansion and are often hunted for food or even just target practice .
because of the dense undergrowth on the volcanic slopes the volcano rabbit’s can spend most of their time actually up on the surface although they will occasionally shelter in burrows that have been dug by other animals as the volcano rabbit’s do not have the means to dig burrows .
the volcano rabbit occurs in the mexican pine - oak forests global 200 ecoregion . ( olson & dinerstein 1998 , olson & dinerstein 1999 )
the volcano rabbit is the second smallest of all rabbit and hares . it lives near the only four volcanoes in mexico , which are popocatepet , izacchihtal , el palado , and tlaloc .
the volcano rabbit lives in mexico . the rabbit has been pushed into areas on the slopes of the iztaccíhuatl , pelado , popocatepetl , and tlaloc volcanoes . the volcano rabbit is generally found between elevations of 2800 m and 4250 m in pine forests with a dense undergrowth of bunch grass and rocky terrain called the transverse neovolcanic axis .
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oryx _ 2014 _ 148 _ hunter _ cresswell _ volcano _ rabbit _ final _ authors _ accepted _ version . pdf ( 724 . 1kb )
upon first inspection the volcano rabbit may just look like any other type of rabbit with thick dark brown fur and a gray underside , however on closer inspection characteristics like small round ears , almost no tail and very short legs define this unique type of rabbit .
hunter , m & cresswell , w 2015 , ' factors affecting the distribution and abundance of the endangered volcano rabbit romerolagus diazi on the iztaccihuatl volcano ' oryx , vol 49 , no . 2 , pp . 366 - 375 . doi : 10 . 1017 / s0030605313000525
the volcano rabbit is small with short , round ears and small legs . their fur is usually dark brown or black with grey underneath their stomach . they also have yellow on the back and sides of their body . they do not have a visible tail . an average volcano rabbit weighs at least a pound or less . it is approximately 9 - 12 inches in height and has one inch ears . volcano rabbit are herbivores , this includes grass and the bark of alder trees .
although the volcano rabbits are not found outside of mexico there are a handful of isolated populations away from the slopes of the volcanoes but these are very few and far between . the four volcano slopes where these unique rabbits reside are the
the volcano rabbit ( romerolagus diazi ) , also known as teporingo or zacatuche , is a small rabbit that resides in the mountains of mexico . it is the world ' s second smallest rabbit , second only to the pygmy rabbit . it has small rounded ears , short legs , and short , thick fur and weighs approximately 390–600 g ( 0 . 86–1 . 3 lb ) . it has a life span of 7 to 9 years . the volcano rabbit lives in groups of 2 to 5 animals in burrows ( underground nests ) and runways among grass tussocks .
one of the tiniest rabbits in the world , the furry volcano rabbit makes itself comfortable in the home of mexico . it is given the name
volcano rabbit
for a reason as it nestles on the slopes of volcanoes , but it doesn ' t stay put ! hopping to various different biomes including forests , it mainly resides in the tropical grassland biome where it has become endangered .
the volcano rabbit feeds on green leaves in zacaton grasses , the undeveloped leaves of spiny herbs and the bark of alder trees . during the rainy season , it will also eat oats and corn from crops .
living in family groups of up to five individuals the volcano rabbit’s feed mostly on leaves , bark and herbs and are nocturnal which means most activities take place during the night . not much is known about the breeding cycle of the volcano rabbits but it is known that females generally give birth to a litter of 2 or 3 young after successful mating .
the volcano rabbit has traditionally been hunted for food and sport . although laws have been passed outlawing the hunting of the animals , they are seldom enforced . forest fires , the conversion of forest land into farmland , the overgrazing of cattle and sheep , and the cutting of trees for timber have all contributed to the destruction of volcano rabbit habitat . many of the forest fires result when farmers burn bunchgrass areas in hopes of promoting new growth for their livestock ( a process known as slash - and - burn agriculture ) . each of the remaining volcano rabbit populations lies within a 45 - minute drive of mexico city . now the world’s largest city , it has a rapidly growing population of 20 , 000 , 000 people . as the city and rural settlements around it continue to expand , volcano rabbit habitat continues to decrease . as of 1998 , only 16 patches of suitable habitat exist . part of the volcano rabbit’s present - day range lies within the izta - popo and zoquiapan national parks . however , habitat destruction continues even with these protected areas .
the volcano rabbit feeds on the green leaves of zacaton grasses , the young leaves of spiny herbs and the bark of alder trees . during the rainy season , it may also eat oats and corn from crops .
volcano rabbits feed on zacaton grasses , herbs and the bark of alder trees . during the rainy season they will also eat corn and oats .
studies conducted on the pelado volcano , one of the four core areas of zacatuche rabbit , indicated that densities estimated using line transects ranged from 0 . 11 to 1 . 20 rabbits / ha according to habitat characteristics (
the volcano rabbit , also known as the mexican pygmy rabbit , has short , thick dark brown hair . it is one of the few species of short - eared rabbits . its rounded ears measure just 1 . 6 inches ( 4 centimeters ) long . the animal also has short hind legs and feet and a very short tail . an average volcano rabbit has a head and body length of 10 . 5 to 13 inches ( 26 . 5 to 33 centimeters ) and weighs between 14 and 18 ounces ( 397 and 510 grams ) . active mainly during the day , the volcano rabbit feeds on the tender young leaves of zacaton or bunchgrass ( various wiry grass species that grow in low clumps in mexico and the southwestern united states ) . its main predators are long - tailed weasels , bobcats , and rattlesnakes . a volcano rabbit blending in with its surroundings . volcano rabbits construct elaborate burrows in deep sandy soil . entrances are hidden in the base of grass clumps . for temporary shelter during the day , the animals sometimes use abandoned pocket - gopher burrows or the hollows between rocks and boulders . scientists know little about the social structure of volcano rabbits . groups of two to seven animals have been observed in the wild . male and female volcano rabbits mate primarily between january and april . after a gestation ( pregnancy ) period of 38 to 40 days , a female gives birth to a litter of one to five infants .
* * * the volcano rabbit is restricted to the volcanic slopes near mexico city , within a 45 minute drive of 17 million people . as a result it is subjected to the pressures of habitat degradation , tourism and hunting .
there are no established conversations for volcano rabbits . there are laws in mexico that make hunting them illegal , but enforcement of the law is difficult . some zoos in the americas have bred them in captive to help increase their population . organizations teach the public about volcano rabbits and how to help protect them .
an initial robotic testing phase has nearly been completed on the piano del lago area of the volcano , a desolate stretch of terrain buffeted by strong winds .
) found in central mexico ( durrell and mallinson 1970 ) . pygmy rabbit burrows
the volcano rabbit ( scientific name romerolagus diazi ) is more commonly called zacatuche or teporingo by the locals living in the mountainous regions of mexico where these tiny animals are found . easily identified by their minute appendages ( ears , legs , feet , tail ) and thick stubby fur , volcano rabbits are rather small mammals with , adult individuals weighing only 1 . 3 lbs , making them the second smallest rabbit in the world , following only the pygmy rabbit . these animals are equipped with two upper incisors designed specifically for gnawing , a body feature which sets them apart from rodents .
unlike other rabbits , who warn others of danger by thumbing their feet , volcano rabbits emit very high - pitched sounds and whistles when they are aware of danger approaching .
the young volcano rabbits are born in an underground nest . they remain in the nest for 2 weeks and begin to eat solid food and move about after 3 weeks .
volcano rabbits ( romerolagus diazi ) are diminutive mammals that are native to mexico , where they have an extremely limited geographic scope . outside of mexico , they are not found anywhere else on earth . though volcano rabbits still exist and are not considered to be extinct , they are indeed an endangered species , with an array of different risk factors .
livestock grazing may be compatible with pygmy rabbit conservation efforts over the long - term .
pygmy rabbits are on average the smallest rabbit , with large individuals weighing about 1 pound .
what really needs to be addressed though is the purposeful burning of the forests in which they live . humans shouldn’t simply be allowed to burn forests down for the purpose of creating more pastures . this does not just hurt the volcano rabbit , but anything and everything that was living there .
the volcano rabbit is found only in central mexico on the slopes of four volcanoes : popocatepetl , iztaccihautl , el pelado , and tlaloc . the animal inhabits pine forests on those slopes at elevations between 9 , 000 and 14 , 000 feet ( 2 , 740 and 4 , 270 meters ) . these areas are often dry in the winter and rainy in the summer . biologists ( people who study living organisms ) are unsure of the total number of volcano rabbits currently in existence .
it is ironic that rabbits are a symbol of fertility throughout the world . recent estimates suggest that 25 % of rabbit species worldwide are declining or endangered . examples of declining rabbit species include :
not all rabbit populations are under threat - - some threaten other species . read more here .
volcano rabbits are , as of the official 2008 iucn red list of threatened species determination , not yet extinct . however , the wee rabbits are considered to be
endangered
animals , which indicates that , without intervention and management , extinction may be an imminent possibility for the future . as of the assessment , numbers for volcano rabbits were believed to be going up , rather than dropping .
the most serious threats to the volcano rabbit are habitat degradation and target shooting . a variety of factors appear to be responsible for the continued degradation of the rabbit ' s forest / zacaton habitat . these include forest fires , overgrazing by cattle and sheep , encroachment by development ( both from the expansion of mexico city as well as additional rural settlements near the rabbit ' s core habitat ) and agriculture , over - exploitation of timber and cutting of zacaton grasses for thatch and brush manufacture .
issue 6 : we received a number of comments and questions concerning how we determined the historic range of the pygmy rabbit , what the abundance and status of various pygmy rabbit populations are , how abundance estimates are determined , and the causes behind the recent declines in the columbia basin pygmy rabbit .
volcano rabbits are the second smallest rabbit in the world , only the pygmy rabbit is smaller . they have a body length between 23 and 32 cms ( 9 - 12 . 5 inches ) , a tail length between 1 and 3 cms ( 0 . 4 - 1 . 2 inches ) and they weigh between 375 and 600 g ( 13 . 2 - 21 . 2 oz ) .
these robots are roaming mount etna on the island of sicily , italy . they pair are using the volcano as a testing ground for future missions to the lunar surface . ( antonio parrinello / reuters )
the volcano rabbit is endemic to mexico and is restricted to the central part of the mexican transverse neovolcanic belt ( tnb ) . populations are currently restricted to three patchily distributed areas on the slopes of just four volcanoes ( popocatepetl , iztaccihuatl , el pelado and tlaloc ) ( 1 ) ( 6 ) .
as you could have probably have guessed judging by the lack of size and no adaptations to harm others , the volcano rabbit falls prey to vicious secondary consumers such as bobcats , coyotes , and long - tailed weasels . the only thing that this innocent rabbit harms is the vegetation as it consumes various grasses ( since it is a herbivore ) such as stipa ichu grass which is a type of zacaton grass .
fa , j . e . and bell , d . j . ( 1990 ) the volcano rabbit romerolagus diazi . in : chapman , j . a . and flux , j . e . c . ( eds ) rabbits , hares and pikas : status survey and conservation action plan . iucn , gland , switzerland .
the volcano rabbit is generally found between 2800 and 4250 m ( 9200 - 13 , 900 ' ) in pine forests with a dense undergrowth of bunch grass (
zacaton
) and rocky substrates . it is also found in secondary alder forests with a heavy grass - shrub understory . most of the areas where the rabbit is found have winter drought and summer rains with a mean annual precipitation of about 1500 mm ( 60 in ) .
other skills that i have gained as a result of doing this project are how to create a wikispace and use it . i learnt about both african and mexican tropical grassland animals and how they differ from each other . i also learnt how tricky it is to distinguish where exactly my volcano rabbit lives at it likes to live in various different habitats .
unlike many species of rabbits ( and similar to pikas ) , the volcano rabbit utters very high - pitched sounds instead of thumping its feet on the ground to warn other rabbits of danger . it is nocturnal and is highly active during twilight , dawn and all times in between . as of 1969 , there were 1000 to 1200 in the wild .
) . the top of the highest volcano the rabbit inhabits is 5452 m and the other volcano is 5222 m . climatically , it would therefore have some room to move upwards . however , according to the static vegetation cover map we used , suitable habitat does not currently reach to the very top , so any movement upslope , as predicted by our models , corresponds to a loss of range . although this may be an overly conservative assumption , vegetation may be constrained by other factors such as soil type and moisture availability , or shifts in suitable vegetation may simply lag behind climate change .
the unique life history and specialized habitat requirements of this species have made conserving and restoring this small rabbit especially challenging .
) is a small rabbit that resides in the mountains of mexico . it is the world ' s second smallest rabbit , second only to the pygmy rabbit . it has small rounded ears , short legs , and short , thick fur and weighs approximately 390–600 g ( 0 . 86 - 1 . 3 lb ) . it has a life span of approx . 7 to 9 years . the volcano rabbit lives in groups of 2 to 5 animals in burrows ( underground nests ) and runways among grass tussocks . the burrows an be as long as 5m ( 16 ' ) and as deep as 40 cm ( 1 . 3 ' ) . there are usually 2 to 3 young per litter , born in the borrows .
a robot wheels across a rocky , windswept landscape that looks like the surface of some distant planet from a science fiction film . but it is not in outer space , it ' s on the slopes of europe ' s most active volcano .
then there are rabbits that may be endangered , but have no recognized protection . one of these is a cottontail rabbit (
hayward af ( 1966 ) an electron microscopic study of developing gall bladder epithelium in the rabbit . j anat 100 : 245–259
the volcano rabbit romerolagus diazi is an endangered species endemic to mexico , with a range of < 400 km2 . we investigated threats from destruction , fragmentation and degradation of habitat , hunting , and cattle grazing intensity in relation to the distribution and abundance of the volcano rabbit on the iztaccihuatl volcano . faecal pellet counts were taken as a proxy for rabbit abundance in 1 , 718 random 0 . 2 m2 quadrats at 859 sampling points along 25 transects , covering an area of c . 100 km2 at altitudes of 3 , 400–4 , 000 m . presence of the species was significantly associated with absence of closed forest , absence of long grass types ( not bunchgrass ) , shallow inclines , absence of cattle grazing , lower altitude , low hunting pressure ( measured by proximity to ranger station ) , absence of bare ground and , contrary to previous findings , increased frequency of fire . the species was significantly more abundant in habitats with a greater percentage cover of zacaton ( bunchgrass ) and short grass types . it was significantly less abundant in areas with more hunting ( measured by proximity to ranger station ) and cattle grazing . key conservation priorities are therefore the protection of the subalpine zacaton bunchgrass - dominated habitat type , strict enforcement of hunting laws and the removal of livestock from relevant national park boundary areas . however , the results suggest that frequent fires have a significant positive effect on the occurrence of the volcano rabbit as a result of habitat improvement and this is often a consequence of anthropogenic management of land for cattle grazing .
the parotid glands of the pika and the volcano rabbit were examined by light and transmission electron microscopy . the acinar cells of the pika consisted of light cells containing basophilic granules of low density , while in the volcano rabbit the acinar cells consisted of light and dark cells containing acidophilic granules of moderate density . intercalated duct cells were composed of light cells containing a few granules of moderate density . these segments of the two animals were similar in morphology . the striated duct cells in both species were composed of light and dark cells . most of those in the pika contained a few moderately dense granules . in both animals , no myoepithelial cells were detected around the acini , intercalated ducts or striated ducts , while nerve terminals were observed among the adjacent acinar cells .
volcano rabbits can be found on the volcanic slopes in central mexico . they have a restricted range and they are usually found in pine forests at elevations between 2 , 800 and 4 , 250 m ( 9 , 186 - 13 , 944 ft ) .
to remedy the situation , ruedas suggests that more attention needs to be paid to documenting the number of rabbit species in the world and performing long term studies on populations to determine whether or not certain rabbit populations are naturally low or truly in a decline .
our response : we concur with these clarifications and continue to consider disease a significant potential threat to the columbia basin pygmy rabbit .
rouco , c . , g . norbury , and d . ramsay . 2014 . kill rates by rabbit hunters before and 16 years after introduction of rabbit haemorrhagic disease in the southern south island , new zealand . wildlife research 41 : 136 - 140 .
we chose two lagomorph species with contrasting geographic patterns as study systems : the range - restricted r . diazi ( volcano rabbit ) and the locally abundant british metapopulation of the relatively widespread l . timidus ( european mountain hare ; see the electronic supplementary material for details ) . spatially explicit metapopulation models were developed for r . diazi and l . timidus separately , using a three - step process .
meanwhile , australians wrestle with an overabundance of rabbits . english landowners introduced the european rabbit to the continent in 1859 , seeking game animals for sport hunting . with no natural predators in their new homeland , european rabbit populations soon spiraled out of control in australia .
those with suitable habitat where rabbits were sighted and traces ( pellets ) were found . the results presented here clearly meet these criteria , therefore indicating that the cobioch must be also considered a core area of the zacatuche rabbit . added to that , our result regarding the estimated annual density also provides evidence that the cobioch is one of the most important habitats for zacatuche rabbit populations . density estimated is higher than the only previous report of 1 . 2 rabbits / ha for the area of the pelado volcano using a similar methodology (
the volcano rabbit is mostly nocturnal and crepuscular , although it can also be active by day , particularly when the sky is overcast . it lives in runways and burrows among grass tussocks . the burrows can be as long as 5 m ( 16 ' ) and as much as 40 cm ( 1 . 3 ' ) underground . the burrow entrance is concealed at the base of a grass tussock .
tormey j mcd , diamond jm ( 1967 ) the ultrastructural route of fluid transport in rabbit gallbladder . j gen physiol 50 : 2031–2060
sanchez - trocino , m . , g . d . mendoza , f . gual - sill , f . x . plata , j . a . martinez , h . lee , and m . m . crosby . 2013 . the effect of muhlenbergia macroura dietary level on intake , digestibility and weight changes in volcano rabbit ( romerolagus diazi ) . journal of applied animal research 41 : 234 - 239 .
in addition , most remaining pygmy rabbit habitat—throughout its range—is currently grazed by livestock , which may reduce habitat quality for pygmy rabbits . in some areas , wildfires have destroyed remaining pockets of pygmy rabbit habitats . the temperature and frequency of these fires may increase by the invasion of the exotic annual grass , cheatgrass ; thus , it is more likely to destroy sagebrush stands . coyotes—important rabbit predators—have increased in number over the last few decades , presumably because of habitat changes . in addition , diseases like tularemia and sylvatic plague can decimate rabbit populations periodically .
due to the combined influence of the above threats , extirpation of the columbia basin pygmy rabbit from the wild may occur at any time ( wdfw 2001b ) . in addition , the risks to the captive portion of the population , and the potential for extinction of the columbia basin pygmy rabbit , remain high . we have carefully assessed the best scientific and commercial information available regarding the past , present , and potential future threats faced by the columbia basin pygmy rabbit . based on our evaluation of the five threat factors discussed above , we have determined that the columbia basin pygmy rabbit is in danger of extinction . as such , we are listing the columbia basin pygmy rabbit as endangered .
in relatively large , well distributed pygmy rabbit populations , the above threats are not likely to represent a significant risk to their long - term security . however , due to the extremely small size and localized occurrence of both the wild and captive portions of the columbia basin pygmy rabbit
castellucci m , caggiati a ( 1980 ) surface aspects of the rabbit gallbladder mucosa and their functional implications . j submicrosc cytol 12 : 375–390
hoehn , m . , p . kerr , and t . strive . 2013 . in situ hybridisation assay for localisation of rabbit calicivirus australia - 1 ( rcv - a1 ) in european rabbit ( oryctolagus cuniculus ) tissues . journal of virological methods 188 : 148 - 152 .
mutze , g . j . , r . g . sinclair , d . e . peacock , 2014 . is increased juvenile infection the key to recovery of wild rabbit populations from the impact of rabbit haemorrhagic disease ? european journal of wildlife research 60 : 489 - 499 .
these furry creatures , as their names convey , live amidst volcanoes , specifically those of the chichinautzin volcanic field roughly 200 miles away from mexico city . volcano rabbits usually weigh between 14 and 21 ounces and are usually 9 to 13 inches long . their thick , short coats are a blend of black , gray and deep brown . their tiny tails are practically impossible to make out . volcano rabbits tend to remain in social units of two to five individuals . they are mostly nocturnal and are especially busy in the times leading up to daybreak and immediately following nightfall .
hunting of the volcano rabbit is now illegal under mexican law , but enforcement remains difficult . the species is found within two protected areas , izta - popo and zoquiapan national parks , but habitat destruction nevertheless continues to occur even within these areas ( 1 ) ( 6 ) . in 1990 , the world conservation union species survival commission ( iucn / ssc ) lagomorph specialist group created an action plan for this rabbit , focusing on the need to manage burning and overgrazing and to enforce laws prohibiting the capture , sale and hunting of the animal ( 6 ) . as a result , the population of volcano rabbits is higher now than a decade ago ( 7 ) . captive breeding colonies exist at los coyotes park and the chapultepec zoo in mexico city , but there are currently no plans to reintroduce captive - bred individuals into the wild ( 6 ) ( 7 ) .
volcano rabbits are endangered because their habitat get destroyed by fires and pollution . they are also hunted for food and practice by humans . they are preyed on by predators in the region , such as the komodo dragon . the volcanoes they live by are active , which contributes to thier endangerment .
the volcano rabbit plays an easy game of hide and seek as it has a distinct dark colour to its fur that allows it to blend in with volcanic soils . this structural adaptation proves to be very useful as it helps protect them from predators with its camouflage as well . these cute creatures are also considered to be the second smallest breed of rabbit in the whole world ! this comes to be a great advantage for them as this is another factor that helps them stay very well hidden from predators . while most rabbits stomp their feet to warn their fellow allies of danger , the volcano rabbits make high - pitched sounds and whistles instead , knowing that they can potentially be eaten at any moment . that would be an example of a behavioural adaptation as it finds tricky ways to out - smart the carnivores that wish to consume them . other important characteristics of this rabbit is that they have small and rounded ears , short legs , and a barely visible tail where as most rabbits have large ears with a matching fluffy tail .
the words endangered and rabbit don ' t come easily together in people ' s minds because they have such a reputation as being pests in people ' s minds ,
said bell .
in reality a number of rabbit species are endangered . it is important to recognize that .
issue 13 : concern was expressed regarding our use and incorporation of information from other pygmy rabbit populations in the background biological discussions and other sections of the emergency and proposed listing rules . in addition , questions were raised regarding whether this information is appropriate or applicable to the columbia basin pygmy rabbit .
an endangered columbia basin pygmy rabbit juvenile born at the captive breeding facility at washington state university , pullman , washington , usa . photo : tara davila
the columbia basin pygmy rabbit has been physically discrete from the remainder of the taxon for several millennia ( see distribution and status , above ) . in addition , there is current evidence that the columbia basin pygmy rabbit is genetically and ecologically discrete from the remainder of the taxon ( see significance , below ) . based on this information , we find that the columbia basin pygmy rabbit population segment is discrete from the remainder of the taxon pursuant to the act . physiological , behavioral , or morphological differences between the columbia basin pygmy rabbit and populations throughout the remainder of the species ' range are not known at this time .
volcano rabbits are primarily herbivores , meaning to say they feed mostly on plants , especially grasses , that abound within their natural habitats . examples of their grassy food sources are the leaves and twigs of such plants as eryngium rosei , muhlenbergia macroura , and stipa ichu . those kept in captivity are typically fed with corn , apples , and oats , while those found living in forests are able to survive on tree bark , herbs , and other greenery . volcano rabbits prefer to forage for food during dusk or dawn , although some individuals , especially those belonging to the same burrows , have been observed to be active during the daytime as well .
our response : this final rule lists as endangered the pygmy rabbit in the columbia basin of central washington ( figure 2 ) . appropriate sites within this region that could potentially be used for reintroduction efforts will be identified as our recovery program is further developed . pygmy rabbit populations in other states throughout the species ' historic range are not included in this listing action , nor will any areas outside of the historic range of the columbia basin pygmy rabbit population be considered for any recovery actions .
» hays , d . 2001 . 2001 addendum : washington state recovery plan for the pygmy rabbit . washington department of fish and wildlife olympia , washington . 24pp .
issue 8 : the suggestion was made that the status of the pygmy rabbit as a monotypic genus could be a consideration regarding the potential significance of its discrete populations .
issue 3 : we received a number of comments concerning critical habitat and how it relates to the emergency , proposed , and final rules for the columbia basin pygmy rabbit .
( 3 ) washington state legislation ( hb 1309 ) provides measures with regard to conservation of the columbia basin pygmy rabbit . see summary of factors affecting the dps section .
results from recent genetic analyses indicate that the columbia basin pygmy rabbit is markedly different from other pygmy rabbit population segments ( wdfw 2001c ; k . warheit , pers . comm . 2001 , 2002 ) . these differences are consistent in both mitochondrial dna and nuclear dna indices , and between current ( washington versus idaho and montana ) and museum ( washington versus idaho , montana , oregon ) samples . the genetic results suggest that the columbia basin pygmy rabbit diverged ( i . e . , was genetically isolated ) from the remainder of the taxon at least 10 , 000 to 25 , 000 years bp , and possibly as long as 40 , 000 to 115 , 000 years bp ( wdfw 2001c ; k . warheit , pers . comm . 2001 , 2002 ) . the genetic differences that have so far been identified between the columbia basin pygmy rabbit and other pygmy rabbit populations are similar in nature to subspecific differences recognized in other mammal species . however , potential taxonomic reorganization of the pygmy rabbit species will require additional study ( wdfw 2001c ) .
unfortunately , these vulnerable creatures fall victim to the symbiotic relationship known as parasitism . these small rabbits act as a host to many different endoparasites which include roundworms , whipworms , and flatworms . as if that wasn ' t enough , they also act as a host to numerous ectoparasites such as various species of fleas , ticks , and flies . although there are many examples to choose from , the main focus is going to be on the whipworm . this thin parasite has eggs that enter the volcano rabbit through the consumption of grains . there , they enter the small intestine and after awhile , the eggs will develop and grow into full whipworms which then make their way over to the large intestine where they start to cause harm . even though this parasite benefits , the volcano rabbit is harmed as the whipworm makes itself comfortable in the home of the large intestine and begins to bite the tissue of of the large intestine , sucking blood . this not only leads to blood loss from my animal , but can also cause infection in a messy case of diarrhea !
» mcallister , k . r . 1995 . washington state recovery plan for the pygmy rabbit . wildlife management program , washington department of fish and wildlife , olympia , wa .
issue 12 : concerns were expressed regarding the potential impacts to the columbia basin pygmy rabbit from various ongoing research and conservation activities , and our potential actions to address these concerns .
issue 10 : we received a number of comments regarding the captive propagation program established by the wdfw and our potential management activities to address recovery of the columbia basin pygmy rabbit . these comments addressed a wide variety of issues and questions , including the health and breeding success of captive pygmy rabbits , impacts to pygmy rabbit populations associated with research or conservation efforts , other potential differences between the various pygmy rabbit populations ( e . g . , physiological , behavioral , morphological ) , the survival characteristics of captive bred versus wild individuals , habitat enhancement or restoration standards for mitigation efforts , federal recovery policy for down - listing or delisting the columbia basin pygmy rabbit , and reintroduction protocols and potential release sites for the recovery program .
volcano rabbits are mostly crepuscular ( 4 ) , although they can also be active by day , particularly when the sky is overcast ( 8 ) . the diet includes the tender green leaves of grasses , the young leaves of spiny herbs , the bark of alder trees and , during the rainy season , also the oats and corn from cultivated crops ( 4 ) .
issue 5 : it was emphasized that a successful captive propagation program should be considered extremely important for the conservation and management of the columbia basin pygmy rabbit ' s unique genetic profile .
kaye gi , wheeler ho , whitlock rt , lane n ( 1966b ) fluid transport in the rabbit gallbladder . a combined physiological and electron microscopic study . j cell biol 30 : 237–268
volcanic rabbits are only found on the rainy mountainous areas of mexico . specifically , these are the wet inclines of tlaloc , popocatepetl , el pelado and iztaccihuatl , to where they are considered endemic . hunting and selling of these endangered mammals is prohibited , although the mexican government is facing substantial challenges in implementing these restrictions . large scale destruction of their natural habitats , such as by logging and burning of the forests to make way for agriculture , has greatly decreased the population of the volcano rabbits , although many conservation parks like the zoquipan national park have made significant progress in breeding their colonies . as of yet , no proposal has been set forth by the mexican government to introduce captive colonies of the volcano rabbit into the wild . their populations are affected by climate change as well , and they are classified as an
endangered ' species by the international union for the conservation of nature ' s ( iucn ' s ) red list of threatened species .
issue 7 : we received a large number of comments concerning our interpretation of the available information with regard to livestock grazing and the potential effects it has on the columbia basin pygmy rabbit . some comments suggested that we were overly critical concerning the negative effects of livestock grazing and did not adequately address its potential benefits to the columbia basin pygmy rabbit . in contrast , other comments suggested that we down - played the negative effects of livestock grazing and implied that regulatory restrictions should be placed on grazing activities in all areas currently or potentially used by the columbia basin pygmy rabbit .
issue 14 : several commenters expressed concern regarding the area affected by the listing , and the potential extent of reintroduction efforts that may be undertaken to address recovery of the columbia basin pygmy rabbit .
it is appropriate to propose a species for listing at the time when sufficient information is available . for the columbia basin pygmy rabbit , when we had sufficient information we took the appropriate action .
( 1 ) the common raven is a significant potential predator of the columbia basin pygmy rabbit , and we also discuss wdfw ' s past and ongoing management efforts to address this threat factor .
kaye gi , maenza rm , lane n ( 1966a ) cell replication in rabbit gallbladder . an autoradiographic study of epithelial and associated fibroblast renewal in vivo and in vitro . gastroenterology 51 : 670–680
although the volcano rabbit is a greatly adorable animal , humans have caused much destruction among their home , the topical grasslands . one major problem is loss of vegetation . as the population doesn ' t cease to increase , this causes for more of the precious grassland to be cleared for agriculture to feed this increasing population , which can cause soil erosion due to over - cultivation . as more people start to pile in around these grassland areas , they begin to raise more and more animals as well for more food for their stomachs , which can also cause soil erosion due to the excessive amount of animals over eating the vegetation . over population has lead people to use these grasslands for urban development and construct buildings and houses in replacement of the natural habitat that was once lively . did you know that about 16 percent of tropical grasslands have been converted for urban development and agriculture ? much of the land is cleared for crops which leads to a loss in habitat for not just the volcano rabbit , but for the other organisms living in this biome as well ! you will see that this affects my rabbit tremendously as the growth of mexico city threatens it to leave its habitat . the destruction of habitat plays a huge role in why my animal is endangered , but hunting also poses a threat as well ! people have actually been hunting down this furry creature for sport and for sale !
) . based on this , the zacatuche rabbit is considered a habitat specialist . its habitat has been severely fragmented due to factors such as urbanization , agricultural conversion , illegal logging , and wildfires (
as well as its annual density within the cobioch and its influence area . the outcomes are further discussed in the light of the relevance of this protected area for conservation of the endangered zacatuche rabbit .
a pygmy rabbit hops out of its artificial burrow during a pilot reintroduction experiment conducted by washington state university designed to develop methods suitable for restoring extirpated populations . photo : rodney sayler , washington state university
» hays , d . , and k . warheit . 2004 . columbia basin pygmy rabbit captive breeding and genetic management plan . washington department of fish and wildlife . olympia , washington . 29pp .
it is unlikely that any of the above activities alone has played a significant role in the long - term population decline and range reduction of the columbia basin pygmy rabbit . however , due to the current vulnerability of both the wild and captive portions of this population segment , any additional source of mortality may now play a significant role and could impair efforts to conserve the columbia basin pygmy rabbit .
. within this , four core and 12 peripheral areas were recognized . this information was used to do the distributions maps for the zacatuche rabbit that are now available in the literature and on web pages (
our response : the available information we have regarding the biology and ecology of the columbia basin pygmy rabbit , impacts to the populations , and mitigation efforts is referenced within the preamble to this final rule .
planillo , a . , and j . e . maio . 2013 . motorway verges : paradise for prey species ? a case study with the european rabbit . mammalian biology 78 : 187 - 192 .
in washington , management efforts by a number of agencies have included acquiring and restoring potential habitat for the endangered columbia basin pygmy rabbit—a slow and expensive task . because some pygmy rabbit habitat is contained within private lands , agencies have attempted to work with local ranchers and farmers to develop mutually beneficial resource management plans and safe harbor agreements . many private landowners are wary of having endangered species on their land and mistrust state and federal natural resource agencies , however , so this work has been sensitive and arduous . as a parallel course of action , and perhaps the last chance for saving the columbia basin pygmy rabbit 4 , washington department of fish and wildlife initiated a program in 2001 for captive breeding and restoration of pygmy rabbits , which is now a key component of the federal recovery plan for the columbia basin pygmy rabbit .
genetic indices indicate that the columbia basin pygmy rabbit had less genetic diversity historically than the remainder of the taxon . in addition , this population segment has undergone further loss of genetic diversity since roughly the mid - 1900s . severe loss of genetic diversity may make the columbia basin pygmy rabbit more susceptible to extinction due to inbreeding depression or , assuming inappropriate introduction of other pygmy rabbit genes , swamping of their unique genetic profile . reduced genetic diversity , and the relatively few family lineages remaining in the columbia basin pygmy rabbit population , may also complicate captive breeding strategies conducted to reestablish a minimum effective population size . ultimately , an appropriate effective population size will help ensure the maintenance and enhancement of the genetic heterogeneity that is still present within this population segment ( k . warheit , pers . comm . 2001 , 2002 ) .
during the fall of 2000 , the wdfw , in cooperation with the oregon zoo , initiated a study of husbandry techniques for pygmy rabbits ( wdfw 2001a ) . this study used five pygmy rabbits captured in idaho and was undertaken to improve the information base for proposed captive propagation and release efforts for the columbia basin pygmy rabbit . due to the continuing decline of pygmy rabbit subpopulations and active burrows in washington , the wdfw , in cooperation with wsu , expedited their captive propagation efforts for the columbia basin pygmy rabbit during the spring of 2001 ( wdfw 2001b ; d . hays , pers . comm . 2001 ) .
research and management activities for the columbia basin pygmy rabbit will be regulated under the section 10 permitting process . the wdfw has closely coordinated its management activities to conserve the columbia basin pygmy rabbit with us . in addition , in cooperation with the wdfw , wsu , and the oregon zoo , we have developed a number of appropriate measures to avoid or reduce the risk of take of the columbia basin pygmy rabbit . these measures were made conditions of the december 18 , 2001 , recovery permit and its revisions that we issued for the captive propagation program and ongoing management activities at the sagebrush flat site ( see previous federal action , above ) . we will continue to work cooperatively with interested parties on activities conducted for scientific purposes or to enhance the propagation or survival of the columbia basin pygmy rabbit under section 10 of the act .
our response : neither our emergency , proposed , nor this final rule designates critical habitat for the columbia basin pygmy rabbit . we find that designation of critical habitat for the columbia basin pygmy rabbit is not determinable at this time because information sufficient to perform the required analyses of the impacts of the designation is lacking ( see critical habitat , below ) . we will continue to protect the columbia basin pygmy rabbit and its habitat through section 7 consultations on federal actions that may affect this population segment , through the recovery process , through hcps under section 10 , and through enforcement of take prohibitions under section 9 of the act .
with regard to the past distribution and abundance of the columbia basin pygmy rabbit , we assume that this population was more broadly distributed and had a greater abundance of individuals within this region historically . this assumption is based on the available information addressing other pygmy rabbit populations , the population dynamics of other leporid species , and the general concepts and theory of minimum viable populations . given this available information , it is unlikely that the columbia basin pygmy rabbit would have persisted within this region for thousands of years with such a limited distribution and at such minimum abundance levels . nevertheless , the available information only indicates the occurrence of several small subpopulations in portions of five counties in central washington since the early 1900s . as such , the historic distribution and abundance of the columbia basin pygmy rabbit that we report in this final rule represent minimum estimates .