Spatial segregation of home ranges between neighbouring colonies in a diurnal raptor

AbstractEnhancement of information transfer has been proposed as a key driver of the evolution of coloniality. Transfer of information on location of food resources implies that individuals from the same colony share foraging areas and that each colony can be associated to a specific foraging area. In colonial breeding vertebrates, colony-specific foraging areas are often spatially segregated, mitigating intercolony intraspecific competition. By means of simultaneous GPS tracking of lesser kestrels (Falco naumanni) from neighbouring colonies, we showed a clear segregation of space use between individuals from different colonies. Foraging birds from different neighbouring colonies had home r…