Why are falconiform populations usually spread over large territories?

Falconiform populations are typically spread over large territories because breeding pairs maintain home ranges that are often much larger than the area required to meet their immediate food needs. Rather than population density being strictly dictated by the availability of prey, these raptors are frequently limited by competition among themselves for territory.12

Individuals of the same species generally do not tolerate one another within their breeding home range, often using aggressive behaviour to defend these boundaries. This territorial behaviour serves as an adaptive mechanism to prevent overcrowding and ensure that a pair can raise their young with minimal competition for resources. Consequently, even in areas where food is superabundant, the population does not necessarily rise in proportion, as the birds continue to maintain these expansive, defended spaces.13