Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator Practice Test

What is the estimated stomach capacity of a 600g red-shouldered hawk?

1. 20cc

2. 25cc

3. 30cc

4. 35cc

The correct answer is: 30cc

The estimated stomach capacity of a 600g red-shouldered hawk is approximately 30cc. This estimate is based on general physiological data regarding raptors and their ability to consume food relative to their body weight. Raptors typically have stomach capacities that align with their size and dietary needs, which allows them to consume whole prey items or substantial portions of their food at one time. For a bird of prey like the red-shouldered hawk, the stomach capacity is significant for storing food before it is digested. Given that the hawk is on the smaller end of the raptor size spectrum, a stomach capacity of around 30cc effectively supports its nutritional requirements without overloading the digestive system. This estimate helps wildlife rehabilitators monitor feeding schedules and ensure that the birds receive adequate but not excessive amounts of food during rehabilitation. The options that suggest capacities lower or higher than 30cc would not be as consistent with established data regarding raptor digestive physiology, as they may either underestimate or overestimate the volume that a bird of this size can comfortably process.