Publication Date:
2011-12-26
Description:
We gathered data for a four-year period (2004–2007) on the nesting ecology and reproductive performance of Eleonora’s falcon in the Aegean Sea. We investigated in an indirect way the relation between clutch size and pre-laying food availability, the significance of site and pair quality on productivity, and the effects of habitat and intraspecific competition on breeding success. Overall, the species selected nest sites sheltered from sun exposure but not from the prevailing wind. Hatching, fledging, and breeding success rates were estimated at 64, 72%, and 60%, respectively. Fledglings per breeding pair ranged from 1.19 to 1.75, and fledglings per successful pair from 1.84 to 2.0, between the years. Productivity depended on parental care rather than nest-site quality. Breeding parameters varied significantly between the years, exhibiting a strong spatial yet local effect. Low success rates were recorded in specific colonies, which were attributed to adverse weather conditions and habitat degradation. Insect food availability prior to egg-laying, estimated via plant biomass, was positively correlated to clutch size. Meanwhile, low wind strengths in August, large distances from the mainland, and population size in the vicinity of the colonies had negative effects on breeding success. Considering data at the Mediterranean scale, a longitudinal trend is observed across the breeding range of this species, with breeding parameters slightly decreasing from west to east. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Article Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s11284-011-0912-6 Authors S. M. Xirouchakis, Natural History Museum of Crete, University of Crete, P.O. Box 2208, 714 09 Heraklion, Crete, Greece J. Fric, Hellenic Ornithological Society/BirdLife-Greece, V. Herakliou 24, 106 82 Athens, Greece C. Kassara, Section of Animal Biology, Department of Biology, University of Patras, 265 00 Patras, Greece D. Portolou, Hellenic Ornithological Society/BirdLife-Greece, V. Herakliou 24, 106 82 Athens, Greece A. Dimalexis, Nature Conservation Consultants (NCC), Gythiou 4 Chalandri, 152 31 Athens, Greece G. Karris, Department of Environment Technology and Ecology, Technological Educational Institute of the Ionian Islands, A. Kalvou Square, 291 00 Zakynthos, Greece C. Barboutis, Department of Biology, University of Crete, P.O. Box 2208, 714 09 Heraklion, Greece P. Latsoudis, Hellenic Ornithological Society/BirdLife-Greece, V. Herakliou 24, 106 82 Athens, Greece S. Bourdakis, Hellenic Ornithological Society/BirdLife-Greece, V. Herakliou 24, 106 82 Athens, Greece E. Kakalis, Biodiversity Management Lab, Department of Environment, University of the Aegean, Xenia Building A, 811 00 Mytilini, Lesvos, Greece S. Sfenthourakis, Section of Animal Biology, Department of Biology, University of Patras, 265 00 Patras, Greece Journal Ecological Research Online ISSN 1440-1703 Print ISSN 0912-3814
Print ISSN:
0912-3814
Electronic ISSN:
1440-1703
Topics:
Biology
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