0000000000120676
AUTHOR
M. Sara'
Comparative Analysis of Lanner and Peregrine Trophic Niche in the Mediterranean
Predators are highly sensitive to availability and changes of their prey, which are limiting factors for successful reproductive performances. We studied the diet of the increasing Peregrine falcon (F. p. brookei) and the declining Lanner falcon (F. b. feldeggii) populations in Sicily. The two species coexist in the same habitats of this large Mediterranean island and require similar feeding resources. We described the type and diversity of prey taken by both species in order to understand whether differences in foraging ecology could explain their diverse population status. During 2014-2016, we collected prey remains and pellets in 15 Peregrine and 6 Lanner nests and we compared the curren…
Il Nibbio reale Milvus milvus svernante in Italia, sintesi di cinque anni di monitoraggio
Beginning in December 2011, CISO has promoted a monitoring project for Red kite’s wintering population in Italy. This paper shows the results of the first five survey seasons, ie from December 2011 to January 2016. The censuses, always done at sunset, covered the eleven Central-Southern regions for which winter roosts were already known. The number of actual kites censuses each winter varied between about 1500 and over 1700 individuals, with strong oscillations for single roosts. The population is mainly concentrated in Basilicata with more than 64% of the entire winter population. Interesting data were also been found in Lazio, Abruzzo and Molise, which altogether host about 25% of the nat…
Natal Dispersal of First Winter Peregrine Falcons
Quantitative information about natal dispersal is available for many species, usually focused on their long-distance migration. Basic information on non-migrant Peregrine falcons is virtually lacking, despite the amount of scientific data on this species, and the sensitivity of this stage in the Peregrines’ life history. Information on movements is crucial for the definition of young post-fledging areas, the behaviour of floaters and also gives key information about juvenile mortality. Thanks to satellite telemetry, we were able to provide data about the destiny, movement and habitat use during both the phase of post-fledging dependence by parents (PFDP) and the dispersal period of 14 Peregr…
Environmental suitability model for the lanner falcon Falco biarmicus feldeggii: planning, study and monitoring the Sicilian population
The identification of suitable areas, by spatially explicit distribution models, is crucial for conservation of threatened species as the lanner falcon Falco biarmicus feldeggii. Monitoring and collecting data on lanner falcon during years has proven to be essential for better defining the areas of species environmental suitability. Recent research shows that breeding performances of this species are strongly influenced by bioclimatic factors, especially monthly temperature and rainfall, or linked to landscape morphology, such as the slope of territories. These environmental parameters combined with species productivity (number of fledged juveniles per checked pair) of geo-referenced breedi…
A comparison of peregrine Falco peregrinus and lanner Falco biarmicus trophic niche in Sicily
Prey availability is a crucial factor for the reproductive success of apex predators and the analysis of their diets can provide meaningful information about the quality of their habitats. In Sicily the declining lanner falcon Falco biarmicus feldeggii and the increasing peregrine falcon Falco peregrines brookei share similar habitats and trophic needs. By studying their current and past diets, we have investigated whether the characteristics of their foraging ecology could explain these different demographic trends. In 2014-2016, we identified 805 peregrine and 250 lanner Vertebrate prey from 15 peregrine and 6 lanner nests, and compared our dataset with previous data from Sicily (Peregrin…