Determination of species of birds of prey in the sugar cane (Sacharum officinarum) supply area of ​​the Azucarera de Los Mochis S. A. de C. V. company, susceptible to being used as biological control in integrated pest management

Abstract

The Sugar Company of Los Mochis has suffered great losses in sugar cane production due to the incidence of various pests, among which the field rat (Sigmodon arizonae) is one of the main ones since it affects the weight and sugar content. In the present work a study is made on the taxonomy of birds of prey, with the objective of locating and determining taxonomy and susceptibility of being used in the biological control of rodents, in the sugar cane supply area of ​​the Sugar Company of Los Mochis S.A. de C.V. in Ahome, Sinaloa. The research was carried out in the months between February and June of 2005, through the establishment of seven transects of 10 km. The method was adapted for the region based on that proposed by numerous researchers (Ambrose, S. 1989., Tillie, S.R; R,E. Boddy,M; Auckland, S,T. 1986). Daily morning and evening walks were conducted at the same times for all transects. Bird sightings were made using binoculars, and then recorded and photographed with a digital video camera. Once the observation and recording were made, taxonomic determination was made by comparing them with photographs from various bibliographies (National Geographic (2001), Peterson, T. Roger and Edward, Chalif. (1994)), emphasizing the most outstanding characteristics, keys that served to determine the species to which the observed and recorded birds belonged. The birds not photographed were taxonomically determined based on observations with binoculars and comparisons with a field guide, taking into account the most distinctive characteristics of each species, habitat, and distribution. A total of ten species were detected, which are distributed in 5 families. Seven of the ten species determined are susceptible to being used in biological control of rodents, since they include these organisms in their diet, 3 are scavengers and opportunists. The plant species most used as perches by them were determined.