Diet of breeding Eleonora's falcon Falco eleonorae in Algeria: Insights for the autumn trans-Mediterranean avian migration.

ABSTRACT: How environmental changes are affecting bird population dynamics is one of the most challenging conservation issues. Dietary studies of top avian predators could offer scope to monitor anthropogenic drivers of ecosystem changes. We investigated the diet of breeding Eleonora's falcon in an area of Northeastern Algeria in the years 2010-2012. Feathers and insect remains originating from prey plucking behavior were analyzed, providing insights into the seasonally changing diet of this raptor, as well as the trans-Mediterranean avian migration. A total of 77 species of birds (16 Sylviidae, 11 Turdidae, and 4 Emberizidae), 3 species of insects, and 1 lizard were identified among prey remains, reflecting a diverse diet. Diet composition and prey abundance varied seasonally, faithfully correlatin

SUBMITTER: Samraoui B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9254077 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature