The role of pigeon consumption in the population dynamics and breeding performance of a peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) population: conservation implications

Content Provider	Semantic Scholar
Author	López-López, Pascual Verdejo, José María Acuyo Barba, Emilio Cervera
Copyright Year	2008
Abstract	In this paper, we describe and analyze the diet of peregrine falcons during a long-term period (1982–2002). A combination of direct observations of prey brought to nests, prey remains, and regurgitated pellets were used to calculate diet diversity and dietary overlap between peregrine pairs. We also examined diet diversity in relation to breeding performance. All peregrine pairs fed mainly on birds, with pigeons the most common prey. An increase in pigeon availability has been associated with both an increase in population size and an increase in breeding performance (measured as the average productivity of pairs per year) of a small peregrine falcon population in eastern Spain. Average productivity was lower when dietary breadth was higher. We speculate that our results were the synergistic effect of declining persecution and increased pigeon availability through increased popularity of keeping racing pigeons. There is a conflict of interests between pigeon fanciers and peregrine conservation. As a consequence, this could result to an increased risk of mortality by direct persecution. In accordance with this, conservation measures aimed at preventing direct persecution are encouraged.
Starting Page	125
Ending Page	132
Page Count	8
File Format	PDF HTM / HTML
DOI	10.1007/s10344-008-0227-2
Volume Number	55
Alternate Webpage(s)	https://www.uv.es/lolopas/EJWR_2009.pdf
Alternate Webpage(s)	https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-008-0227-2
Journal	European Journal of Wildlife Research
Language	English
Access Restriction	Open
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article