Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
Coyote, Canis latrans, Use of Commercial Sunflower, Helianthus
spp., Seeds as a Food Source in Western Kansas
Discussion
Our finding of mammals as the primary food item of Coyotes in western Kansas
is consistent with studies throughout the Great Plains Region (e.g., Gier 1968;
Springer and Smith 1981; Gese et al. 1988a; Lewis et al. 1994; Brillhart and
Kaufman 1995). Our finding of Leporidae as the most frequently occurring mammalian
family in the Coyote diet was similar to that observed in Nebraska (Fichter
et al. 1955) and Kansas (Gier 1968). Although Coyotes consume many types of
fruits and vegetation (Fichter et al. 1955; Gier 1968; Brillhart and Kaufman
1995), no study has indicated the extensive use of commercial sunflower seeds
that we observed. One study reported that sunflower seeds occurred in trace
amounts (Brillhart and Kaufman 1994, 1995). We recognize small sample size in
this study, yet our finding that commercial sunflower seeds occurred frequently
and in high volumes in scats suggests Coyotes may consume relatively large quantities
of seeds when available. Moreover, our finding sunflower seeds in July indicated
that unharvested sunflower seeds remain available in the environment well into
the next growing season. Because scats containing commercial sunflower seeds
were found within 4 of 7 Coyote family home ranges along our collection routes,
a minimum of four different Coyotes appeared to have used seeds as a food source.
The importance of commercial sunflower seeds in the diet of Coyotes is,
at present, unknown, although our observation suggests it may be an important
food source in some localities, as it is for other carnivores. Planting of
sunflower crops has recently increased, particularly in the northern the Great
Plains region (U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistic
Service, Published Estimates Database, www.nass.usdagov:100/ipedb/). Although
the efficiency of harvest continues to improve, there is still a considerable
amount of seeds left in fields after harvest which are available to wildlife
(Hofman and Kucera 1984). Harvest loss can result in 45-55 kg of waste seed
per hectare (D. R. Berglund, Department of Plant Sciences, North Dakota State
University, Fargo, personal communication), providing an abundant food supply
when or where other naturally occurring foods may be scarce.
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