Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Kestrel'
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1
Strasser, Erin Hennegan. "Reproductive failure and the stress response in American kestrels nesting along a human disturbance gradient." [Boise, Idaho] : Boise State University, 2010. http://scholarworks.boisestate.edu/td/86/.
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Berg, Melanie Dawn. "Yolk androgens and development in American kestrel nestlings." [Boise, Idaho] : Boise State University, 2009. http://scholarworks.boisestate.edu/td/11/.
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Kirkwood, J. K. "Bioenergetics and growth in the kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)." Thesis, University of Bristol, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/1983/43ff9ca2-39c3-493e-a671-0f0ae2a0756f.
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Villarroel, Morris Ricardo. "Copulatory behaviour and paternity in solitary- and colony-nesting kestrels." Thesis, McGill University, 1996. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=34476.
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In this thesis, I analysed the mating behaviour of the solitary-nesting American kestrel (Falco sparverius) in southern Quebec (Canada) and the colony-nesting lesser kestrel (F. naumanni) in Aragon (Spain). DNA fingerprinting of 26 families of lesser kestrels revealed that 3.4% of nestlings were extra-pair, which may have arisen through either extra-pair copulation or mate replacement. Two nestlings in two different nests were also the result of intraspecific brood parasitism. DNA fingerprinting of 21 American kestrel families showed that all the nestlings in two nests were extra-pair (10% extra-pair young overall), most probably due to mate replacement.I analysed the mating behaviour of both species in two studies with a similar aim, i.e. to test why mated pairs copulate so frequently. Sixteen pairs of wild American kestrels and 12 pairs of "solitary" lesser kestrels (14 nests per 0.3 km$ sp2)$ were analysed in terms of four hypotheses that explain high frequency of within-pair copulations both outside and during the fertile period. First the Paternity Assurance Hypothesis, i.e. males control timing and frequency of copulations to best assure fertilization, was rejected because extra-pair copulation attempts were low in both species ($<$1% of all copulations observed), within-pair copulation frequencies did not increase with nest density in the lesser kestrel, and copulation and mate attendance did not increase as the fertile period approached. Second, the Immediate Material Benefits Hypothesis, i.e. females trade copulations for food, was refuted because copulation most often occurred without food transfers. Third, the Female Mate-Guarding of Males Hypothesis, i.e. females distract their mates from other mating opportunities by copulating frequently, was rejected because male loss was low, males and females solicited similar amounts of copulations, and females did not differ in the timing or frequency of solicitations. Finally, the Mate Assessment Hypothesis, i.e. assessment of mate quality is mediated by copulation, most closely predicted the behaviour observed since within-pair copulation was high outside the fertile period and during pair formation in both species.
5
Bombardier, Manon. "Predatory behaviour of American kestrels and effects of Trichinella pseudospiralis infection." Thesis, McGill University, 1992. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=61185.
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This study investigated the predatory behaviour of kestrels on insect prey in a modified open-field arena, and assessed the effects of T. pseudospiralis infections on the sequence of predatory behaviours, hunting efficiency and choice of hunting method of the birds. Choice of hunting method in kestrels was related to their appraise energy expenditure and relative success. Hunting from a perch was more common, presumably less strenuous and more successful than hunting afoot. Hunting prey confined to the vertical walls of the arena was considered more strenuous and was less successful than hunting freely-roaming ground prey. Infection with T. pseudospiralis did not affect attack rate or hunting success but altered the manner in which prey were taken. Thus, the frequency of strikes performed in level flight declined, and birds tended to hunt more on foot. In flight, the frequency of wing beats and the horizontal distance travelled to regain the elevated perch increased. Concordance was found between intensity of infection and magnitude of change in body weight and flight activities. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
6
Henderson, Derin. "The effect of Trichinella pseudospiralis infection on mate choice and competitive abilities of captive American kestrels /." Thesis, McGill University, 1992. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=56892.
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The American kestrel (Falco sparverius) - Trichinella pseudospiralis host-parasite association was used as a model to study the effect of infection on (1) mate choice of female kestrels and (2) competitive abilities of male kestrels. In 34 choice tests, female selection of infected or uninfected males was random. Male competitive abilities was assessed by observing interactions between infected and uninfected individuals in a pen with a caged female and a single nest box. In 8 of 11 trials, uninfected males spent more time in the section closest to the female than their infected rivals, and performed more chases, attacks, and displacements than the latter. These results suggest that variation in male quality is determined in part by resistance to parasitism and can affect competition for nesting territories. Females may not have evolved mechanisms to detect parasitized males because these males are unlikely to outcompete uninfected males when territories are in limited supply.
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Maney, Pamela L. "Survey of reproduction of the southeastern American kestrel (Falco sparverius paulus) in electrical transmission towers in south-central Georgia [electronic resource] /." Click here to access thesis, 2005. http://www.georgiasouthern.edu/etd/archive/spring2006/pamela%5Fl%5Fmaney/maney%5Fpamela%5Fl%5F200601%5Fms.pdf.
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Thesis (M.S.)--Georgia Southern University, 2006."A thesis submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Georgia Southern University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Science." ETD. Includes bibliographical references (p. 39-41) and appendices.
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Brock, M. Kelly. "Cryopreservation of semen of the American kestrel Falco sparverius." Thesis, McGill University, 1986. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=65449.
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Kerr, Leslie. "Caching behaviour in captive American kestrels (Falco sparverius)." Thesis, McGill University, 1999. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=30676.
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The storing of food is a common behaviour in the American kestrel ( Falco sparverius), a small, cavity-nesting falcon whose prey is comprised mainly of insects and small mammals. It may be a mechanism by which breeding birds ensure a sufficient food supply crucial to reproductive success.In 1996, caching behaviour of 10 single females, 10 single males and 20 paired captive American kestrels was recorded over the breeding season at the Avian Science and Conservation Centre of McGill University.
Cache site preference and seasonal influence on caching frequencies were studied in 8 hand-raised, male kestrels in summer, fall and winter from 1996--1997. Caching frequency during the three seasons was significantly different with most occurring in fall, fewer in winter, and still fewer in summer.
Memory for locations of cached prey was tested in 7 hand-raised males, three days after a caching event, from July to September 1997. The birds located their own caches significantly better than those caches placed by the experimenter. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
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Lavigne, André J. "Growth of nestling American Kestrels in relation to dietary factors." Thesis, McGill University, 1987. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=63828.
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MacLellan, Kelly N. M. (Kelly Nadine Mary). "The effects of O,P'-dicofol on two generations of American kestrels /." Thesis, McGill University, 1994. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=68216.
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A two generation laboratory study was conducted on a captive population of American kestrels (Falco sparverius) to investigate the possible teratogenic effects of the pesticide Dicofol. Paired females were exposed to three levels of Dicofol. Integrity of the reproductive tract of the resulting embryos were examined. Viable eggs were hatched and these birds were permitted to breed the following year. Breeding performance for these birds was measured based on their ability to form pair bonds and exhibit normal behaviour in the presence of a mate. Clutch completion, fertility, hatchability and number of hatchlings reared to fledging were used as reproductive parameters. Females dosed with 20 ppm Dicofol laid eggs that were significantly (p $<$ 0.05) thinner than eggs of control birds. Male embryos from dosed females were significantly (p $<$ 0.05) different from control chicks. Feminization was confirmed by the presence of primordial germ cells. Second generation adults showed altered reproductive parameters related to their parental dose groups.Rank-order trials were conducted on second generation males based on parental dose levels to determine the aggressiveness of these individuals when placed in a competitive arena. Primary perch sites and food items were obtained by control birds significantly (p $<$ 0.05) more often than exposed males.
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Groombridge, James Jonathan. "Conservation genetics of the Mauritius kestrel, pink pigeon and echo parakeet." Thesis, Queen Mary, University of London, 2000. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.365455.
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Ribeiro, Emanuel Ferreira. "Seasonal variation in foraging habitat preferences in Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni." Master's thesis, Universidade de Aveiro, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10773/720.
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Conhecer as preferências de habitat de uma espécie é crucial para a
definição e implementação de medidas com objectivos de conservação.
Neste estudo analisamos a preferência de habitat de caça de uma espécie
ameaçada, e a maneira como estas preferências se alteram ao longo da
época de reprodução. A disponibilidade de cada tipo de habitat varia
consoante as actividades agrícolas, como sementeiras, aragem ou ceifas.
Os resultados evidenciam que esta espécie selecciona diferentes tipos de
habitat de acordo em cada fase do ciclo reprodutor. No início da época
de reprodução, a espécie, prefere caçar em terrenos arados enquanto que
no final prefere campos de cereais já ceifados nesta fase, e onde apenas
há restolhos. As diferenças observadas não seriam detectadas caso não se
considerassem as alterações de habitat inerentes às actividades agrícolas.
Os Francelhos preferem caçar em habitats com vegetação baixa e pouco
densa provavelmente devido à maior disponibilidade de presas neste tipo
de habitats. Machos e fêmeas não apresentam diferenças significativas
em parâmetros de caça como a taxa de êxito ou o tempo de caça
necessário para capturar uma presa. A taxa de êxito foi mais elevada em
restolhos e no período incubação e mais baixa em terrenos arados e
durante o período de pré-incubação. As aves despendem menos tempo
para efectuar um primeiro ataque em cereal e do que em plantações de
algodão.
Em plantações de cereais é necessário menos tempo para capturar uma
presa enquanto que nos algodoais é necessário um maior esforço de caça.
O número de ataques por minuto de observação não é significativamente
diferente entre biótopos.Knowing the habitat preference of a species is of crucial importance in order to sketch measures with conservational purposes. In this study we analyse the foraging habitat preferences of a threatened species and how they change through the breeding season. Habitat availability varies due to changes in agricultural activities such as ploughing, sowing, or harvesting. Our results evidence that this species select different habitat types according to breeding season stage. In the beginning of the season prefer to forage in ploughed fields while during chick rearing and post-fledging prefer cotton fields and cereal stubbles. Thus changes in agricultural activities must be considered in habitat selection studies. Lesser kestrels prefer to forage in low height and sparse cover, probably because of higher prey availability in this kind of habitats. Males and females don’t show significant differences in several hunting parameters. Success rate was higher in cereal stubble and during incubation and lower in ploughed fields and in the pre-incubation period. Lesser kestrels take less time to make a strike in cereal stubble and more in cotton plantations. In cereals prey capture takes less time while in cotton takes more hunting effort. The number of strikes per minute of observation didn’t varied significantly between habitats.
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Britt, S. Ellen. "Ecological studies on the American kestrel (Falco sparverius) in east-central Indiana." Virtual Press, 1986. http://liblink.bsu.edu/uhtbin/catkey/468349.
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The American kestrel (Falco sparverius) population of both Harrison and Washington Townships, Delaware County, east-central Indiana, showed a decline from December, 1985 to March, 1986, stabilization, and then a rise in June and July, 1986. Surveys reflect a larger kestrel population in Harrison than in Washington Township. Sex ratios from December to July indicate a greater number of males than females in both townships. Pasture was the preferred habitat of both male and female birds. No correlation was found between numbers of kestrels sighted and weather conditions. Kestrels occupied two of six nest boxes in the area and fledged a total of ten young. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service data on 1,617 banded kestrels were analyzed. The independent effect of banding flyway on average distance traveled between banding and recovery was not significant. The independent effect of latitude was significant for the total study population of 1,617 kestrels but was not significant for a subsample of 213 birds which exhibited true migratory movement. Sex had no effect on distance traveled. The interaction of banding flyway and latitude on distance traveled was highly significant.
15
Catry, Inês. "Effects of climate, agricultural changes and conservation measures on the lesser kestrel." Thesis, University of Cambridge, 2011. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.609424.
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Love, Oliver Patrick. "Adrenocortical function in postnatally developing American kestrels (Falco sparverius)." Thesis, McGill University, 2001. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=33801.
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This project investigated postnatal development of the adrenocortical function in captive American kestrels (Falco sparverius) employing measurements of basal and stress-induced levels of corticosterone at specific developmental stages. Chicks aged 10-days exhibited partially functioning adrenocortical systems with baseline levels comparable to adults. The ability to respond to external stressors increased through postnatal development and by the age of 22 days, stress-induced maximal levels of corticosterone were indistinguishable from those of one-year old adults, and levels of 28-day old birds were significantly higher than these adults. In addition, baseline and maximum stress-induced levels of corticosterone at all ages were significantly higher in first-hatched chicks than all other siblings and these effects grew stronger through development. These results suggest that the brain-pituitary-adrenal axis in this semi-altricial species is (1) already partially developed in young chicks and (2) only becomes fully functional when behavioral and neuromuscular development is nearly complete. Furthermore, results from this study suggest that hatching asynchrony has an effect on this variation in stress-induced maximal levels of corticosterone during the latter half of postnatal development, with a higher degree of hatching asynchrony leading to larger disparity in adrenocortical function between first- and fourth-hatched chicks. This adrenocortical disparity resulting from female-mediated hatching asynchrony may potentially lead to both brood-reduction and brood survival under diametric food conditions, ensuring that the female's reproductive fitness is maximized in varying habitats. Variation of adrenocortical function among siblings may increase female efficiency in raising a brood of fit chicks, maximizing her reproductive success.
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Gard, Nicholas W. (Nicholas William) 1962. "Influence of brood-size manipulation on nestling growth, fledging success and parental behaviour in American Kestrels." Thesis, McGill University, 1989. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=61866.
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Fallacara, Dawn. "Toxic effects of dietary methylmercury on immune system structure, function, and development in the American kestrel (Falco sparverius)." OpenSIUC, 2009. https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/dissertations/308.
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This dissertation summarizes three investigations in which immunosuppressive effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of dietary methylmercury (MeHg) were assessed in adult non-breeding male kestrels, female kestrels during egg laying, and nestling kestrels. Immunological endpoints included cell-mediated immunity (CMI) using the phytohemagglutinin (PHA) skin-swelling assay and antibody-mediated immune function using the sheep red blood cell (SRBC) hemagglutination assay. Hematology profiles were evaluated over time in adult males and nestlings to monitor immunological and physiological status of kestrels. Primary and secondary immune system organs were examined histopathologically to identify T and B cell-dependent structural changes related to immunosuppressive effects of MeHg. Male kestrels dosed with 3.9 µg/g MeHg in the diet for 13 weeks exhibited suppression of CMI (p = 0.019), elevation in the proportion of heterophils (p < 0.001) and total white blood cell counts (p < 0.001), and a decline in the proportion of peripheral blood lymphocytes (p < 0.001). Primary antibody-mediated immune response was suppressed at 0.6 µg/g MeHg (p = 0.014), but secondary immune function was not adversely effected. Female kestrels were dosed with 2.8 µg/g MeHg in the diet for 13 weeks prior to egg laying and exhibited a higher primary immune response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) than controls (p = 0.013). Subtle reproductive effects were also apparent including a 4.3-day delay in egg laying (p < 0.001) and depletion of egg mass (p = 0.037), egg volume (p = 0.050), and eggshell thickness (p = 0.004). The quantity of antibody production during egg laying, as measured by anti-SRBC antibody concentrations in egg yolk, did not differ from controls. However, the duration of antibody production was significantly longer for MeHg dosed females (p = 0.007), suggesting immunomodulation occurred among dosed kestrels during egg laying. Nestlings dosed with 0.6 and 3.9 µg/g in the diet for 25 days post-hatch also exhibited suppression of CMI at 11 days of age (p = 0.004) and lymphoid depletion in spleen (p < 0.001) and thymus tissue (p = 0.017). Antibody-mediated immune function was not adversely affected in nestling kestrels. Results from these three investigations suggested suppression of CMI and lymphoid depletion occurred at a dose concentration of 3.9 µg/g MeHg in adult, non-breeding male kestrels and at both 0.6 and 3.9 µg/g MeHg dose concentrations in nestlings. Immunosuppressive effects and immune dysfunction with respect to antibody-mediated immune function occurred at a dose concentration of 2.8 µg/g in female kestrels during egg laying; estrogen-disrupting characteristics of MeHg during avian reproduction cannot be excluded as a potential influence on this response. Immunotoxic effects of dietary MeHg in female kestrels during egg laying were primarily immunosuppressive and targeted T cell-mediated immune function. Cell-mediated immunity was highly sensitive to the immunosuppressive effects of dietary MeHg at low, environmentally relevant exposure concentrations, and at comparatively high doses (> 3 ppm) at which reproductive effects have been demonstrated in kestrels in other investigations.
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Burgess, Malcolm D. "Spatial patterns and population dynamics of a reintroduced Mauritius kestrel (Falco punctatus) population." Thesis, University of Reading, 2008. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.494952.
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Spatial heterogeneity and density dependent processes can play an important role in regulating populations. This thesis investigates spatial processes and mechanisms that influence population dynamics using an intensively monitored reintroduced population of the Mauritius kestrel Falco punctatus as a model system. This 19 year dataset is particularly suited as a closed system with no recorded emigration or immigration, and with most individuals uniquely marked. This provides complete individual life histories from a population that has experienced low population densities before stabilising at approximately 40 pairs since the mid 1990s.
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Harper, Dylan M. "The Integration of Google Maps into American Kestrel, Falco sparvarius, Nest Trail Programs." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2014. https://dc.etsu.edu/honors/207.
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American Kestrel Nest Box Programs have been established since the mid 1960’s. The population of American Kestrels (Falco sparverius) along nest box trails has decreased by 47 percent since their original implementation. There are existing technologies that can help in the location of prime kestrel habitat (open fields with conspicuous perching locations) along highways, which reduces the amount of labor in searching for new box locations. These technologies can also help increase the efficiency of monitoring and maintaining kestrel nest trail programs. This study provides an example of how Google Maps can be implemented into a kestrel trail and explains the multiple benefits of the integration.
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Haggas, Lucinda. "Energetics of the American Kestrel (Falco Sparverius) During Three Seasons in Northern Utah." DigitalCommons@USU, 1985. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/4053.
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Behavioral activiti es and predatory behavior of 18 American Kestrels (Falco sparverius, 9 males and 9 females) were observed for 350+ hours during 3 seasons (nonbreeding = Jan-Feb , breeding = mid-~lar-Apr, and postbreeding = late-Aug-Sept) in northern Utah. Daily energy expenditure (DEE) of male and female kestrels was estimated with a model that incorporated flight activity data from free-living birds and laboratory measurements on daytime and nighttime metabolic rates and energy costs of tissue production derived from captive kestrels. Production costs were included in the DEE for breeding and postbreeding kestrels.
The energy cost of gonadal growth for males (0.02 kcal/day) and females (0.20 kcal/day) was added to the DEE of breeding kestrels. Breeding females expended an estimated 10.13 kcal/day for producing an average clutch of 4.5 eggs. The energy costs of fat deposition (2.27 and 4.39 kcal / day for males and females, respectively) and molt (2.38 and 2.72 kcal/day for males and females , respectively) were added to the DEE of postbreeding kestrels. In addition to the DEE , the model predicted nonflight energy expenditure (NFEE) and flight energy expenditure (FEE) during the day, and energy expenditure during the night (NEE).
DEE of nonbreeding birds is generally higher (47.71 kcal/day) than those from the breeding (44.89 kcal / day) and postbreeding (42.42 kcal / day) seasons. DEE of females (48.69 kcal/day) is higher than males (41.31 kcal/day) primarily because females averaged 15.5% heavier than males during all 3 seasons, and females have higher costs of production. Kestrels are heaviest during the nonbreeding season and the amount of metabolizable energy available is highest. DEE is lower during the breeding and postbreeding seasons because thermoregulatory demands have decreased which may allow energy to be metabolized for production.
NFEE accounts for most (48.5%) of the DEE. Flight costs are relatively small because kestrels allocate an average 3% of the photoperiod (25.6 min/day) to flight activities. Egg production accounts for 20% of the DEE of breeding females. The energy cost of fat deposition and molt accounts for 11.6 and 15.9% of the DEE for postbreeding males and females, respectively. These reproductive and tissue production costs may also elevate the DEE of breeding and postbreeding females to that of nonbreeding females.
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Chu, Jee Yan. "Effects of co-administration of fluoride and aluminum on the metabolism of these two ions in the American kestrel (Falco sparverius)." Thesis, McGill University, 1992. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=56674.
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In order to test the hypotheses: (1) that the digestive absorption of fluoride (F) is affected by the presence of aluminum (Al), and (2) that the distribution of F absorbed among organs/tissues is affected by Al, 36 American kestrels (Falco sparverius) were randomly divided into 6 groups of 6, and given oral doses daily for 30 days according to the following scheme: (1) deionized water only, (2) 30 mg/kg F$ sp-$, (3) 24 mg/kg F$ sp-$, (4) 24 mg/kg Al$ sp{3+}$, (5) 30 mg/kg F$ sp-$ + 24 mg/kg Al$ sp{3+},$ (6) 24 mg/kg F$ sp-$ + 24 mg/kg Al$ sp{3+}$. Excreta was collected every 24 hours between dosing. Femurae, kidneys, hearts, alimentary canals, skeletal muscle, and livers were obtained from all birds at the end of experiment. All samples were analyzed for F, Al, total phosphate (P) and calcium (Ca). F excretion was significantly higher in birds given 30 mg/kg F$ sp-$ + 24 mg/kg Al$ sp{3+}$ than in their counterparts which received the same amount of either F or Al alone (p $<$ 0.05). Excretion of Al was also elevated in all groups (except those only given water) from the level of excretion before the experiment commenced (p $<$ 0.05), despite the fact that 2 groups out of those 5 received F only. P and Ca contents of excreta were not affected by the oral dose. F contents in femurae from groups receiving both F and Al were significantly lower compared to those levels in those birds which were given F only (p $<$ 0.05). Significantly more Al was found in kidneys from the group receiving 30 mg/kg F$ sp-$ + 24 mg/kg Al$ sp{3+}$ than in those groups given only 1 of the 2 ions (p $<$ 0.05).
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Romero, Marta. "A life in flight; New inputs from movement ecology of Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni)." Doctoral thesis, Universidad de Alicante, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/10045/111290.
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La creciente necesidad de que, tanto los científicos como los técnicos medioambientales, conozcan los diversos aspectos de la ecología de los animales para proponer acciones de conservación adecuadas, ha promovido el desarrollo de técnicas y herramientas que permitan desentrañar algunas de las incógnitas que envuelven a un nuevo paradigma emergente; la "ecología del movimiento", enfocada a estudiar todo tipo de movimientos realizados por todo tipo de organismos. Poco a poco, y sobre todo en las últimas décadas, las nuevas tecnologías de seguimiento remoto aplicadas al estudio del movimiento animal han permitido llevar a cabo nuevas y modernas investigaciones con una amplia gama de enfoques científicos especializados para estudiar los diferentes movimientos llevados a cabo por grupos específicos de organismos. En las aves, la aplicación de estas técnicas ha aportado multitud de nueva información sobre el uso del hábitat y del espacio y, sobre todo, ha permitido el seguimiento de las especies a lo largo de sus movimientos migratorios y en las áreas de invernada, aportando gran cantidad de información en estas etapas de su ciclo biológico muy desconocidas hasta la aplicación de estas técnicas. El Cernícalo primilla (Falco naumanni) es una pequeña rapaz migratoria que estuvo muy amenazada debido a un fuerte declive de sus poblaciones ocurrido a finales del siglo pasado, llegando a extinguirse en muchas localidades a lo largo de su rango de distribución; la situación llevo a que la especie estuviera catalogada como en “peligro” y fue objeto de numerosas investigaciones. Sin embargo, varios aspectos sobre su biología básica seguían siendo desconocidos. Por ejemplo, aunque el conocimiento sobre la migración y la invernada había mejorado en los últimos años con la utilización de geolocalizadores, esta técnica puede generar grandes errores (hasta unos pocos cientos de kilómetros) en la estimación de la ubicación de un ave y no es posible mapear las rutas e inquirir su fenología migratoria con precisión. Por otro lado, la especie ha sufrido recientemente de nuevo una fuerte regresión, con registros de reducciones en poblaciones reproductoras de más del 50% de los efectivos poblacionales en solo una generación en algunas áreas de reproducción de la Península Ibérica (especialmente durante las temporadas reproductivas de 2017 y 2018). Los investigadores señalan que la principal causa de las repentinas disminuciones que se han producido en los últimos años puede deberse a los eventos que ocurren en las zonas de invernada que ocupa la especie y de las cuales no existe información detallada; sin embargo existen otros aspectos de su declive, actual y pasado, que siguen siendo controvertidos, p.ej., las posibles afecciones que causa la pérdida de hábitat asociado a la construcción de infraestructuras en hábitat prioritarios para la especie, que hemos investigado recientemente. En este trabajo de investigación, además, aportamos nuevos datos sobre la duración correcta de las migraciones del Cernícalo primilla, de las rutas migratorias exactas, de los posibles efectos de las condiciones climáticas (p.ej., el viento) durante su migración y hemos estudiado el uso del hábitat y las zonas de invernada de la especie en el Sahel. Por último, con nuestras investigaciones con un enfoque multiespecífico (trabajando con el Águila calzada Hieraaetus pennatus y el Aguilucho cenizo Circus pygargus), hemos podido describir mejor el hábitat de las rapaces en sus zonas de invernada y definir los puntos clave hacia los que focalizar los esfuerzos para conservar, no solo al Cernícalo primilla, sino a muchas rapaces migratorias transaharianas.
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Van, Zyl Anthony John. "Aspects of the foraging and breeding ecology of the Southern African Kestrel, Falco tinnunculus rupicolus." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 1993. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/14288.
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Includes bibliography.A study of the ecology of the Southern African Kestrel was made in two areas of differing topography in the Eastern Cape Province (32 °S) of South Africa. The main objectives of the study were to describe foraging parameters (behaviour-time budgets, hunting success and diet) and breeding parameters (clutch size, hatching and fledging success, nestling, fledging and post-fledging periods) of the Southern African Kestrel. These parameters were compared to those from studies made on the European Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus tinnunculus) in western Europe (53 °N) in an environment which fluctuates relatively more than the South African study sites. Predictions concerning foraging and breeding ecology made by life-history theory in stable and fluctuating environments prompted the erection of the following hypotheses which were examined in this study. 1. Common Kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) in relatively stable environments have a more consistent but lower foraging yield than those breeding in fluctuating environments. 2. Common Kestrels in relatively stable environments have lower reproductive rates (longer incubation, nestling and post-fledgling dependence periods, later age at first breeding and longer life-span) than those in fluctuating environments. Southern African Kestrels spent different proportions of time of the two main hunting methods used, perch- and hover-hunting, than the European Kestrel. Perch-hunting was the predominant hunting method used by the Southern African Kestrel compared to hover-hunting in the European Kestrel. Southern African Kestrels had a higher prey-capture success for both hunting techniques. However, daily food intake was lower in Southern African Kestrels because a high proportion of the diet consisted of small invertebrates. Average clutch size was smaller in the Southern African Kestrel than that of the European Kestrel and Southern African Kestrels fledged on average fewer young. However, incubation, nestling and post-fledging periods were within the range recorded for the European Kestrel. The hypothesis that Common Kestrels in relatively stable environments have lower foraging yields is supported by this study. Although results from this study suggest that food yields are more consistent in stable environments, it was unable to evaluate this adequately. The hypothesis that reproductive rates are lower in relatively stable environments is partly supported in this study, but more data are required for parameters such as incubation and nestling periods to confirm such trends.
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Garratt, Claudia Mary. "Managing vegetation for the conservation of the Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus on farmland in England." Thesis, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10443/1531.
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Agricultural intensification is a major threat to a range of biodiversity. Of particular concern at a Europe-wide level are population declines of farmland birds, an index of whose numbers are taken to be an indicator of the health of biodiversity as a whole. In this thesis, I explore how to aid the populations of a declining farmland raptor, the Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus, via the potential management of habitat, and then I link this to Agri-environment Scheme (AES) options, which require continual adaptive management to maximise their benefits. AESs have been responsible for the creation of additional areas of grassland in the British countryside, which could be expected to be of benefit to the Kestrel; a grassland hunter. A study of foraging breeding Kestrels showed that they select habitats non-randomly with cut grass being selected over all other available habitats. I then explored the potential effects of vegetation management on Kestrels’ preferred prey, small mammals, in a manipulative field experiment. While most small mammals will leave an area of grassland after mowing, I show that a small number may remain as long as some form of cover – such as the cut grass – remains in situ. I investigated the temporal effects on farmland bird species of cutting grass both within whole fields and on field margins, There was a rapid drop-off in use of grass fields after cutting suggesting a rapid decline in available resources. Field margins that were cut in strips were favoured by some species, although others preferred to use the longer, control, vegetation.Overall I conclude that targeted cutting of small patches or strips throughout the year would create mosaics of different habitat and therefore be of benefit to a range of different declining farmland biodiversity, and could be a worthwhile addition to AES field margin prescriptions.
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Nicoll, Malcolm A. C. "The ecology and management of a re-introduced population of the Mauritius kestrel (Falco punctatus)." Thesis, University of Reading, 2004. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.402910.
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Palma, Cristián R. (Cristián Ricardo). "The use of tarsal scale patterns to identify individual birds of prey." Thesis, McGill University, 1996. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=23929.
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The ability to accurately identify individuals is required for the detailed study of animals. Numerous artificial markers have been developed for this purpose. Negative effects on survival, reproductive success and behavior have been reported for most marking methods, significantly affecting the very parameters being studied.Birds of prey have suffered the shortcomings of artificial marking methods. In light of the known and potential deleterious effects of marking, attention has been focused on developing new techniques to identify individual raptors without attaching artificial markers.
This study investigated the use of tarsal scale patterns as unique individual identifiers in birds of prey. The American kestrel (Falco sparverius) was chosen as a model. Both legs of seventy-five kestrels were photographed over a two-year period.
Photographic comparisons of 150 scale patterns demonstrated the uniqueness of each and therefore its ability to be used as an individual's natural identifier. Furthermore, patterns were found to remain unchanged from one year to the next. These findings support the hypotheses that tarsal scale patterns are unique to each bird and do not change over time.
A method of coding the tarsal scale patterns was developed. These codes can be used in a computerized data base to significantly enhance the speed of pattern searches.
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Müller, Claudia. "Costs and benefits of a stress response on postnatal development in the Eurasian kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) /." [S.l.] : [s.n.], 2009. http://opac.nebis.ch/cgi-bin/showAbstract.pl?sys=000286600.
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Ewing, Steven. "The occurrence and consequences of inbreeding in a reintroduced population of the Mauritius kestrel (Falco punctatus)." Thesis, University of Glasgow, 2005. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.438937.
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Cunningham, Heather V. "Determination of linkage and degree of relatedness in a captive population of American kestrels using DNA fingerprinting." Thesis, McGill University, 1995. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=22855.
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DNA fingerprinting was used to assess levels of genetic variation within the captive colony of pedigreed American kestrels (Falco sparverius) which have been maintained for over twenty years at the Avian Science and Conservation Centre of McGill University. Several instances of apparent linkage and allelism were observed. The high probability of fortuitous co-segregation of parental bands as if linked or allelic resulting from the small number of offspring was most likely responsible. Otherwise, the kestrel fingerprints displayed germ-line stability and high levels of heterozygosity characteristic of other species. A positive linear and quasi-linear relationship was found between pedigree-based and DNA fingerprint-based relatedness coefficients. High levels of genetic variation and minimal inbreeding were detected via genetic analyses. Genetic similarity coefficients between colony-bred and free-ranging American kestrels were not significantly different (P $>$ 0.5), indicating minimal genetic drift within the colony. Managed mating combined with immigration of new members into the breeding pool can maintain genetic diversity within a captive population of 200 to 300 American kestrels for a long term management scale. The captive-bred kestrel population can be fully exploited for general research, management and care techniques and as a genetic and demographic reservoir.
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Smallwood, John A. "Winter territoriality and predation ecology of American Kestrels (Falco sparverius) in southcentral Florida /." The Ohio State University, 1987. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu14873359929033.
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Hunt, Katherine A. (Katherine Anna). "Fenthion as a secondary poisoning hazard to American kestrels." Thesis, McGill University, 1990. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=59268.
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The potential of fenthion to act as a secondary poisoning hazard to birds of prey was investigated using American kestrels (Falco sparverius) and house sparrows (Passer domesticus) as a representative model of a naturally occurring predator-prey interaction. Kestrels were presented with live sparrows previously exposed to perches containing Rid-A-Bird 1100$ sp circler$ solution (Rid-A-Bird, Inc., Muscatine, IA), 11% fenthion active ingredient, under simulated field conditions. All 14 kestrels tested died following ingestion of fenthion-exposed sparrows. Decreased brain cholinesterase activity and residue analyses of kestrel gastro-intestinal samples confirmed secondary fenthion poisoning.Prey selection trials were conducted in the laboratory to determine the response of kestrels to a mixed flock of contaminated and uncontaminated sparrows. Kestrels captured fenthion-exposed prey significantly more often (12 out of 15 trials) than normal, unexposed prey.
These results suggest that avian predators and scavengers in the wild are at risk from contact with fenthion-exposed prey in areas where Rid-A-Bird perches are in use.
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Antonia, Galanaki. "Modelling the breeding habitat of the lesser kestrel falco naumanni in an agricultural landscape in Central Greece." Thesis, Manchester Metropolitan University, 2011. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.533357.
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The lesser kestrel Falco naumanni is a globally threatened falcon which, in Europe, is mainly restricted to the Mediterranean Basin. Its populations in Western Europe have undergone a rapid decline by ca. 95% since the 1950s and although it used to be one of the most abundant falcons in Europe in the 1970s, it is now extinct from central Europe and very rare in many other countries. The current European breeding population of the lesser kestrel is estimated at 25,000-42,000 breeding pairs, with Spain, Italy and Greece supporting the largest populations. It breeds in colonies in towns and villages and forages in steppe-like habitats, such as grasslands and plains with low-intensity cultivation. The main cause of its decline in Europe has been habitat loss and degradation, primarily as a result of agricultural intensification and other land use changes. The main aim of the present study, conducted during the years 2005-2007, was to identify environmental attributes related to lesser kestrel occurrence and abundance in agricultural areas in Central Greece. A second aim was to detect land cover changes and evaluate their impact on lesser kestrel breeding grounds, following the implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the European Union (EU). Species Distribution Models (SDMs) were used to understand and predict the spatial distributions of lesser kestrels. These models have become a fundamental component in ecology and conservation biology and have been used to examine the occurrence and abundance of species, to forecast how species would respond to land use changes and to select areas for conservation planning. The study area is located in the plain of Thessaly, in Central Greece which holds the main breeding populations of lesser kestrels in the country. It consists of agricultural land dominated by irrigated cotton and dry cereal fields, open hilly areas with grasslands and is surrounded by mountains. The lesser kestrel breeding distribution was mapped during the years 2005-2007. Predictive spatial distribution models were developed from the species presence/absence data and environmental information including land cover, topography, landscape structure and human population. The performance of different statistical approaches, a parametric (Generalised Linear Model), a semi-parametric (Generalised Additive Model) and a non-parametric model (Random Forest) was also evaluated. The quality of agricultural areas as foraging habitats for the lesser kestrel during the chick rearing period was assessed using Multiple Regression & Poisson Regression Models and a habitat selection analysis (Neu's method). Satellite images were used to detect landscape changes over a period of 30 years (1977,1992,1999 and 2006). The results of the statistical models agree with the findings of previous habitat-based studies which highlight the importance of low input farming systems for the occurrence of lesser kestrel breeding colonies. The predicted probability of lesser kestrel occurrence at the large scale analysis is positively associated with farmed landscapes of both dry and wet arable cultivations. With respect to prediction accuracy, there is little to choose between the models and reduction in testing accuracy is relatively small suggesting that all models are robust. The foraging habitat analyses at the fine-scale reveal the importance of non-irrigated arable land, grassland, fallow land and pastures as optimal feeding sites for lesser kestrels in the study area. Abundance of foraging birds is negatively associated with irrigated farmland, scrubland and woodland. Electricity wires and poles, used as foraging perches, is a significant predictor for the species abundance in most models. The analysis of land-use changes showed that traditional cereal farming has been reduced, while cotton production has increased in the study area, particularly during the 1990s; a development driven by the farming practices implemented through CAP reforms of the EU. Agricultural areas, such as dry cereal cultivations, that support rare species are considered as `high-naturevalue (HNV) farmland' and are of great importance for the preservation of biodiversity in Europe. Overall, the main conservation priority for the conservation of lesser kestrel in the plain of Thessaly is the maintenance of low-input farming systems and the implementation of a greener CAP that would promote environmental-friendly farming practices and preserve wildlife in agricultural ecosystems
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Fallacara, Dawn M. "Toxic effects of dietary methylmercury on immune system structure, function, and development in the American kestrel (Falco sparverius) /." Available to subscribers only, 2009. http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1791777511&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=1509&RQT=309&VName=PQD.
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Thesis (Ph. D.)--Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 2009."Department of Zoology." Keywords: Kestrels, Methylmercury, Wildlife toxicology, Immune system, Falco sparverius. Includes bibliographical references (p. 133-150). Also available online.
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Unrau, Mikkel Andreas. "Analysis of the Effects of Inlet Distortion on Stall Cell Formation in a Transonic Compressor Using CREATE-AV Kestrel." BYU ScholarsArchive, 2018. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/7712.
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Accurately predicting fan performance, including bounds of operation, is an important function of any Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) package. The presented research uses a CFD code developed as part of the Computational Research and Engineering Acquisition Tools and Environment (CREATE), known as Kestrel, to evaluate a single stage compressor at various operating conditions. Steady-state, single-passage simulations are carried out to validate capabilities recently added to Kestrel. The analysis includes generating speedlines of total pressure ratio and efficiency, as well as radial total temperature and total pressure profiles at two axial locations in the compressor at various operating conditions and fan speeds, and simulation data from the single-passage runs is compared to experimental data. Time-accurate, full annulus simulations are also carried out to capture and analyze the processes leading to stall inception for both uniform and distorted inlet conditions. The distortion profile used contains a 90 degree sector of lower total pressure at the inlet. The observed fan behavior at stall inception is compared to previous research, and it is concluded that the inlet distortion significantly changes the behavior of the part-span stall cells that develop after stall inception. Understanding the physical processes that lead to stall inception allows fan designers to design more robust fans that can safely take advantage of the better performance associated with operating closer to stall.
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Fernie, Kimberly J. "Effects of electric and magnetic fields on selected physiological and reproductive parameters of American kestrels." Thesis, McGill University, 1998. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=34959.
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Birds nest under electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) generated by transmission liners which may affect their reproductive success and/or melatonin governing their circadian and circannual cycles. Over two years, captive kestrels were used to determine whether EMFs affect their plasma melatonin concentrations and their reproductive success. EMFs were equivalent to that which wild kestrels are exposed to while nesting under 735 kV transmission fines, and daily exposure used in the captive study (88--98% time budget) was potentially equivalent to that of wild kestrels (90% X, 80% X). Captive kestrels were housed in control or EMF conditions to determine short-term (one season; S-EMF) and longer-term EMF (two seasons; L-EMF) effects.Plasma melatonin in adult EMF males was suppressed at 42 d and elevated at 70 d of EMF exposure compared to controls. Melatonin levels in EMF males at mid-season were similar to controls at season's end, suggesting a seasonal phase-shift. Melatonin was suppressed in L-EMF fledgling birds but not in adult females or nudes (1995) at 70 d. Plasm melatonin, higher in adult males than females at 70 d post-pairing, was not directly associated with body mass changes in kestrels.
Captive EMF birds were more active and alert but groomed less often than controls. EMF exposure affected reproductive success of kestrels. Fertility and fledging success were higher, and hatching success lower in S-EMF clutches. Hatching success was higher, but fledging success lower in L-EMF clutches. In S-EMF clutches, mean egg volume and mass were greater, eggs had slightly more albumen but thinner eggshells, and embryos were larger than controls. L-EMF hatchlings were heavier than controls.
The melatonin results for male kestrels indicate that kestrels perceive EMFs as light, thus altering their photoperiod. Photoperiodic manipulations advance molt onset, which is associated with increased body mass in male kestrels. S-EMF males were heavier at 56 d of exposure when molt began, but this was unlikely related to feed intake winch was unchanged. EMF exposure had no effect on body mass and pectoral muscle scores of reproducing females. The sexually-dimorphic response in body mass and melatonin concentrations suggests that male kestrels may be more sensitive to EMF exposure than females.
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Senapathi, Grace Deepa. "Assessing the effect of changing climatic conditions in Mauritius on the population dynamics of the endemic Mauritius kestrel (Falco punctatus)." Thesis, University of Reading, 2009. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.507006.
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Powers, Jennifer Robertson. "Reproductive Success of American Kestrels (Falco sparverius) Nesting in Boxes along an Interstate in Northeastern Tennessee." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2009. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1787.
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Nest box programs provide supplemental nest sites for American Kestrels, Falco sparverius. When the availability of nest sites is a limiting factor, the addition of nest boxes can increase local breeding populations. These programs also facilitate the collection of data on breeding kestrels.
This study focuses on an American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) nest box trail along Interstate 26 in northeastern Tennessee during the breeding seasons of 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2006, and 2009. Productivity measures and reproductive success of nesting birds are provided and compared to other programs. The data are analyzed across years and by box. Finally, a discussion of the habitat surrounding the most and least active boxes provides recommendations for increased efficiency of the program.
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Bardo, Lina. "Effects of captivity on the morphology, reproductive success, and growth of the American kestrel «Falco sparverius»: implications for captive wildlife models and reintroduction programs." Thesis, McGill University, 2012. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=107593.
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With the increased use of captive breeding for species conservation and for wildlife research there is a rising concern over potential effects of captivity on animal populations. Changes arising within populations as a result of captivity could reduce their ability to survive and reproduce after release into the wild, or make research on captive specimens incomparable to their wild counterparts. Research into the effects of captive breeding is relatively new and is often hampered by the difficulty of separating origin and rearing environment effects on animals. The overall aim of this study was to determine the effects of captivity on the morphology, nesting success and nestling growth of a common wildlife model, the American kestrel (Falco sparverius). From 2006 to 2009 data were collected on wild and captive kestrel pairs, including adult size, egg volume, fertility, clutch initiation date, hatching success, and nestling survival. From 2007 to 2009, repeated measures of nestlings were taken to determine growth rates. To separate the effects of origin and rearing environment, whole clutches were cross-fostered between pairs in each environment and compared to control clutches. In 2009, captive-bred and wild kestrels reared in captivity (F1 birds) from the 2006 to 2008 cross-fostered clutches were paired in combinations (captive / captive, captive male / F1 female, F1 male / captive female, F1 / F1) and data were collected on adults, nesting success and nestling growth. Results of the combined studies suggest that captive birds and eggs are significantly larger than those in the wild, and that F1 results are intermediate between the two. When comparing reproductive variables, wild clutches had significantly higher fertility and nestling survival than the other groups. Fertility and hatchability were similar between captive and F1 clutches, but nestling survival was greater in captive clutches. Overall, nest productivity was highest in wild pairs and lowest in F1 pairs. Reproductive variables were significantly affected by sex in F1 pairings, with F1 males exhibiting greater nest failure and lower productivity than captive males regardless of female mate. Nestling growth rates differed significantly between captive, wild and F1 birds with captive birds generally having faster growth rates, though asymptotic size did not differ between groups. Carotenoid concentrations in plasma did not vary greatly between groups, though external flesh color in kestrels differed between environment and sex; wild kestrels had significantly higher color scores than captive birds, and males had higher scores than females. Overall, rearing environment had a greater impact on adult kestrel size, nestling growth rates and nesting success than origin, though sufficient differences were noted between captive and F1 birds to suggest that some level of selection in captivity had occurred.L'utilisation croissante de la reproduction en captivité pour les espèces en danger et pour l'étude de la faune suscite davantage d'intérêt quant aux effets potentiels de la captivité sur les populations animales. Des changements engendrés par la captivité pourraient réduire la capacité des animaux de survivre et se reproduire suite à leur réintroduction dans le milieu naturel, ou rendre les résultats d'études sur les spécimens captifs inapplicables à leurs homologues sauvages. L'étude des effets de la reproduction en captivité est relativement nouvelle et souvent entravée par la difficulté de distinguer les effets environnementaux des effets génétiques sur les animaux. L'objectif principal de la présente étude était de déterminer les effets de la captivité sur la morphologie, le succès reproductif et la croissance des oisillons chez une espèce-modèle commune, la crécerelle d'Amérique (Falco sparverius). De 2006 à 2009, des données ont été recueillies sur des couples de crécerelles sauvages et captives, dont la grosseur des adultes, le volume des œufs, la fertilité, la date d'initiation des couvées, le taux d'éclosion et la survie des oisillons. De 2007 à 2009, des mesures à répétition ont été prises pour évaluer les taux de croissance des oisillons. Afin de séparer les effets environnementaux des effets génétiques, des couvées entières ont été échangées entre couples dans chacun des milieux et comparées à des couvées de contrôle. En 2009, des individus nés en captivité ainsi que des individus sauvages élevés en captivité (génération F1) issus des couvées échangées de 2006 à 2008 ont été accouplés selon toutes les combinaisons possibles (mâle captif / femelle captive, mâle captif / femelle F1, mâle F1 / femelle captive, mâle F1 / femelle F1) et des données ont été recueillies sur les adultes, le succès reproductif et la croissance des oisillons. L'ensemble des résultats suggère que les oiseaux captifs ainsi que leurs œufs sont significativement plus gros que leurs homologues sauvages, la génération F1 étant intermédiaire. Quant au succès reproductif, la fertilité des couples sauvages et la survie de leurs oisillons étaient supérieures aux autres groupes. La fertilité et le taux d'éclosion étaient semblables entre les couvées F1 et captives, bien que la survie des oisillons ait été supérieure chez ces dernières. La productivité globale était la plus élevée chez les couples sauvages et la plus faible chez les couples F1. Les mâles F1 avaient un taux d'échec de nidification plus élevé et une productivité globale moins élevée que les mâles captifs peu importe l'origine de la femelle. Des différences significatives dans les taux de croissance ont été observées entre oisillons captifs, sauvages et F1 : la croissance était généralement plus rapide chez les oisillons captifs malgré que la grosseur asymptotique ne variât pas entre les groupes. Les concentrations de caroténoïdes dans le plasma ne variaient pas de façon significative entre les groupes; cependant des différences dans le teint de la chair ont été observées selon le milieu et le sexe: les crécerelles sauvages avaient le teint plus foncé que les crécerelles captives; et les mâles plus foncé que les femelles. Dans l'ensemble, le milieu d'élevage a eu un impact plus prononcé sur la grosseur adulte des crécerelles, les taux de croissance des oisillons et le succès reproductif que l'origine génétique, bien que suffisamment de différences aient été constatées entre individus captifs et F1 pour suggérer qu'un certain niveau de sélection en captivité a eu lieu.
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Pereira, Ricardo José Garcia. "Acompanhamento comportamental e endócrino da atividade reprodutiva anual de machos de falcões quiri-quiri (Falco sparverius) de vida livre /." Jaboticabal : [s.n.], 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/11449/105951.
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Orientador: José Maurício Barbanti DuarteBanca: José Eduardo Pereira Wilken Bicudo
Banca: Jorge Luiz Berger Albuquerque
Banca: Paulo Henrique Franceschini
Banca: Elisabeth Criscuolo Urbinati
Resumo: Apesar da radiotelemetria ser considerada uma ferramenta valiosa em estudos ornitológicos, algumas teorias relativas ao impacto de radiotransmissores sobre a estimativa de parâmetros comportamentais, ecológicos e reprodutivos podem ser encontradas em literatura. Com o intuito de avaliar os potenciais efeitos fisiológicos de radiotransmissores do tipo mochila em falcões quiri-quiri (Falco sparverius) de vida livre, oito machos desta espécie foram capturados e divididos em dois grupos: indivíduos marcados com radiotransmissores (aproximadamente 5% do peso vivo, n = 6) e indivíduos controle (anilhados, n = 2). Em seguida, amostras fecais foram coletadas duas horas após a captura (dia −1) e durante os dias 0 (definido como o dia de soltura dos animais), 4, 7, 15, 30, 40 e 55. Previamente às análises laboratoriais, o ensaio imunoenzimático para dosagem de glucocorticóides fecais foi testado empregando procedimentos padrões de validação hormonal (paralelismo, curva de dose-resposta, validação fisiológica e coeficientes de variação inter- e intra-ensaio). Em relação aos machos monitorados, ambos os grupos apresentaram um aumento significativo nos níveis de glucocorticóides fecais durante o dia 0 (P < 0,001), mas as concentrações retornaram aos níveis pré-equipagem após 4 dias da soltura. Além disso, os níveis de glucocorticóides fecais não diferiram significativamente entre os falcões radiomarcados e os anilhados durante os 55 dias de monitoramento (P > 0,05). Embora o número de indivíduos neste estudo seja reduzido, estes resultados sugerem que radiotransmissores do tipo mochila não induzem efeitos persistentes sobre a atividade adrenal de machos de falcões quiri-quiri de vida livre. Considerando a literatura consultada, esta é a primeira pesquisa a analisar os efeitos de radiotransmissores sobre a resposta adrecortical de aves de vida livre.
Abstract: Although radiotelemetry is considered a valuable technique for ornithological field studies, several assumptions have been made about the impact that transmitters may cause on the estimation of behavioral, ecological and reproductive parameters. To assess potential effects of backpack radiotransmitters, we captured and assigned 8 male American kestrels (Falco sparverius) in 2 groups: radio-tagged (n = 6) and control individuals (leg-banded, n = 2). Thereafter, we collected feces two hr after capture (day −1), and subsequently during days 0 (releasing day), 1, 4, 7, 15, 30, 40 and 55. Prior to fecal analysis, EIA corticosterone assay was validated using standard procedures (e.g. parallelism, dose-response curve), and physiological significance of fecal glucocorticoid metabolites was confirmed through adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) challenge, which induce an increase of 4-fold (446.10 ± 60.73 ng/ g) above baseline (114.27 ± 15.23 ng/ g) within 4 hr (P < 0.001). Both groups exhibited a significant increase in fecal glucocorticoids during day 0 (P < 0.001), but concentrations returned to pre-attachment values within 4 days. Fecal glucocorticoid concentrations did not differ between samples of radio-tagged and leg-banded kestrels (P > 0.05). In spite of the small number of monitored subjects, these findings suggested that radiotransmitters did not affect adrenocortical activity in male American kestrel. To our knowledge, this is the first research to evaluate the effects of transmitters on stress responses in free-ranging birds.
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Pereira, Ricardo José Garcia [UNESP]. "Acompanhamento comportamental e endócrino da atividade reprodutiva anual de machos de falcões quiri-quiri (Falco sparverius) de vida livre." Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/11449/105951.
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Apesar da radiotelemetria ser considerada uma ferramenta valiosa em estudos ornitológicos, algumas teorias relativas ao impacto de radiotransmissores sobre a estimativa de parâmetros comportamentais, ecológicos e reprodutivos podem ser encontradas em literatura. Com o intuito de avaliar os potenciais efeitos fisiológicos de radiotransmissores do tipo mochila em falcões quiri-quiri (Falco sparverius) de vida livre, oito machos desta espécie foram capturados e divididos em dois grupos: indivíduos marcados com radiotransmissores (aproximadamente 5% do peso vivo, n = 6) e indivíduos controle (anilhados, n = 2). Em seguida, amostras fecais foram coletadas duas horas após a captura (dia −1) e durante os dias 0 (definido como o dia de soltura dos animais), 4, 7, 15, 30, 40 e 55. Previamente às análises laboratoriais, o ensaio imunoenzimático para dosagem de glucocorticóides fecais foi testado empregando procedimentos padrões de validação hormonal (paralelismo, curva de dose-resposta, validação fisiológica e coeficientes de variação inter- e intra-ensaio). Em relação aos machos monitorados, ambos os grupos apresentaram um aumento significativo nos níveis de glucocorticóides fecais durante o dia 0 (P < 0,001), mas as concentrações retornaram aos níveis pré-equipagem após 4 dias da soltura. Além disso, os níveis de glucocorticóides fecais não diferiram significativamente entre os falcões radiomarcados e os anilhados durante os 55 dias de monitoramento (P > 0,05). Embora o número de indivíduos neste estudo seja reduzido, estes resultados sugerem que radiotransmissores do tipo mochila não induzem efeitos persistentes sobre a atividade adrenal de machos de falcões quiri-quiri de vida livre. Considerando a literatura consultada, esta é a primeira pesquisa a analisar os efeitos de radiotransmissores sobre a resposta adrecortical de aves de vida livre.
Although radiotelemetry is considered a valuable technique for ornithological field studies, several assumptions have been made about the impact that transmitters may cause on the estimation of behavioral, ecological and reproductive parameters. To assess potential effects of backpack radiotransmitters, we captured and assigned 8 male American kestrels (Falco sparverius) in 2 groups: radio-tagged (n = 6) and control individuals (leg-banded, n = 2). Thereafter, we collected feces two hr after capture (day −1), and subsequently during days 0 (releasing day), 1, 4, 7, 15, 30, 40 and 55. Prior to fecal analysis, EIA corticosterone assay was validated using standard procedures (e.g. parallelism, dose-response curve), and physiological significance of fecal glucocorticoid metabolites was confirmed through adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) challenge, which induce an increase of 4-fold (446.10 ± 60.73 ng/ g) above baseline (114.27 ± 15.23 ng/ g) within 4 hr (P < 0.001). Both groups exhibited a significant increase in fecal glucocorticoids during day 0 (P < 0.001), but concentrations returned to pre-attachment values within 4 days. Fecal glucocorticoid concentrations did not differ between samples of radio-tagged and leg-banded kestrels (P > 0.05). In spite of the small number of monitored subjects, these findings suggested that radiotransmitters did not affect adrenocortical activity in male American kestrel. To our knowledge, this is the first research to evaluate the effects of transmitters on stress responses in free-ranging birds.
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Bowman, Reed. "Mate replacement in wild American kestrels." Thesis, McGill University, 1985. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=63131.
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Beasley, Hope Alyce. "Reproductive success of southeastern American kestrels (Falco sparverius paulus) nesting in 230kV transmission towers and alternative nest structures in south-central Georgia." Click here to access thesis, 2007. http://www.georgiasouthern.edu/etd/archive/fall2005/hope_a_beasley/beasley_hope_a_200708_ms.pdf.
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Thesis (M.S.)--Georgia Southern University, 2007."A thesis submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Georgia Southern University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Science." In Biology, under the direction of John W. Parrish. ETD. Electronic version approved: December 2007. Includes bibliographical references (p. 26-29)
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McDonald, Paul, and Paul McDonald@latrobe edu au. "Reproductive success, dimorphism and sex allocation in the brown falcon Falco berigora." The Australian National University. Faculty of Science, 2003. http://thesis.anu.edu.au./public/adt-ANU20041111.100436.
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This project describes various aspects of the breeding ecology and behaviour of the brown falcon Falco berigora, a common but poorly study Australian raptor. In particular it examines (a) the main influences on reproductive success; (b) tests predictions of theories proposed to explain the evolution and maintenance of sexual size dimorphism (RSD; females the larger sex) in raptors; and (c) investigates sex allocation patterns in the light of current sex ratio and parental investment theory. The study was conducted between July 1999 and June 2002 approximately 35 km southwest of Melbourne, at the Western Treatment Plant (WTP), Werribee (38°0S 144°34E) and surrounds, a total area of approximately 150 km2.¶
· In all plumage and bare part colouration of 160 free-flying falcons was described. The majority of variation in these characters could be attributed to distinct age and/or sex differences as opposed to previously described colour morphs.¶
· Nestling chronology and development is described and formulae based on wing length derived for determining nestling age. An accurate field-based test for determining nestling sex at banding age is also presented.¶
· Strong sex role differentiation was apparent during breeding; typical of falcons females performed most parental duties whilst males predominantly hunted for their brood and partner. Based on observations of marked individuals, both sexes of brown falcons aggressively defended mutual territories throughout the year, with just 10% of each sex changing territories during the entire study period. Males performed territorial displays more frequently than females, the latter rarely displaying alone.¶
· The diet of the population as a whole was very broad, but within pairs both sexes predominantly specialised on either lagomorphs, small ground prey (e.g. house mice Mus musculus), small birds, large birds or reptiles, according to availability.¶
· Reproductive parameters such as clutch size and the duration of parental care were constant across all years, however marked annual differences in brood size and the proportion of pairs breeding were evident.¶
· Age was an important influence upon reproductive success and survival, with immature birds inferior to adults in both areas. However, interannual differences were by far the most influential factor on breeding success and female survival. Heavy rain downpours were implicated as the main determinant of reproductive success and adult female mortality in a population largely devoid of predation or human interference.¶
· Female-female competition for territorial vacancies was intense; larger adult females were more likely to be recruited and once breeding fledged more offspring. In contrast, male recruitment and breeding success was unrelated to either body size or condition indices, although smaller immature males were more likely to survive to the next breeding season. This directional selection is consistent only with the predictions of the intrasexual competition hypothesis.¶
· Despite marked RSD (males c. 75% of female body mass), throughout the nestling phase female nestlings did not require greater quantities of food than their male siblings. However, female parents fed their last-hatched sons but not daughters, resulting in the complete mortality of all last-hatched female offspring in focal nests. Given last-hatched nestlings suffered markedly reduced growth rates and female, but not male, body size is important in determining recruitment patterns, the biased allocation amongst last-hatched offspring is likely to reflect differing benefits associated with investing in small members of each sex, consistent with broad-scale Trivers-Willard effects. Recruitment patterns support this, with surviving last-hatched females, in contrast to males, unable to gain recruitment into the breeding population upon their return to the study site.¶
Thus selection appears to act at the nestling, immature and adult stages to maintain RSD in the focal population. Larger females were favoured in the nestling phase, at recruitment and once breeding had greater reproductive success. In contrast, selection favoured a reduction or maintenance of immature male size as smaller birds had a greater chance of survival in the year following recruitment than their larger counterparts; thereafter male size was unimportant. Together, this directional selection favouring increased female competitive ability is consistent only with the predictions of the intrasexual competition hypothesis, which appears the most probable in explaining the maintenance and perhaps evolution of RSD in raptors.
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Carrière, Daniel. "The effect of fluoride on reproductive performance and growth of captive American kestrels /." Thesis, McGill University, 1985. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=63154.
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Kerr, Leslie. "Caching behaviour in captive American kestrels (Falco sparverius)." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 2000. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk3/ftp04/mq64380.pdf.
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Cartwright, Samantha J. "Agriculture and the life histories of Mauritius kestrels." Thesis, University of Reading, 2012. http://centaur.reading.ac.uk/37110/.
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Habitat modification for agriculture is one of the greatest current threats to global biodiversity. Studies show large-scale population declines and short-term demographic impacts, but knowledge of the long-term effects of agriculture on individuals remains poor. This thesis examines the short- and long-term impact of agriculture on a reintroduced population of the Mauritius kestrel Falco punctatus, a tropical forest-dwelling raptor endemic to the island of Mauritius, that also utilises agricultural habitats. This population is a particularly appropriate model system, because complete life history data exists for individuals over a 22-year period, alongside detailed habitat and climate data. Agriculture has a short-term detrimental effect on Mauritius kestrel breeding success by exacerbating the seasonal decline in fledgling production. This is partly driven by the habitat-specific composition of the prey community that kestrels exploit to feed their chicks. The fledglings from agricultural territories tend to recruit in agricultural territories. This is largely due to poor natal dispersal and fine-scale spatial autocorrelation in the habitat matrix. Breeders do not respond to agriculture in the breeding territory by dispersing, unless the pair bond is broken. Therefore, individuals originating in agricultural territories tend to recruit, and remain in, agricultural territories throughout their lives. In addition to this, females from agricultural natal territories have shorter lifespans, schedule their peak reproductive output earlier in life, and exhibit more rapid senescence than non-agricultural females. The combination of this long-term effect and the adult experience of agriculture imposed by life history and environmental constraints, leads to a lower mean lifetime reproductive rate compared to females originating in non-agricultural habitats. These results demonstrate that agriculture experienced in early life has a lifelong effect on individuals. The effects can persist in time and space, with potentially delayed effects on population dynamics. These findings are important for understanding species’ responses to agricultural expansion.
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Kübler, Sonja. "Nahrungsökologie stadtlebender Vogelarten entlang eines Urbangradienten." Doctoral thesis, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Fakultät I, 2006. http://dx.doi.org/10.18452/15396.
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Innerhalb des Zeitraumes 2002 bis 2004 wurden in Berlin Untersuchungen zur Nahrungsökologie verschiedener Vogelarten durchgeführt, wobei auch die Konsequenzen wie der Fortpflanzungserfolg analysiert wurden. Neben der Aufnahme der Brutvogel- (2002) und Wintervogelgemeinschaft (2002/2003) auf fünf Pf à ca. 20 ha entlang eines Urbangradienten, wurden die Arten Blaumeise, Grünling, Haussperling und Turmfalke speziell untersucht. Auf den fünf Pf, die sich hinsichtlich Baustruktur, Flächennutzung und Vegetationsanteil unterschieden, wurden 35 Brutvogelarten festgestellt. Anhand der Artenzahlen ist deutlich ein Urbangradient zu erkennen: Das Stadtzentrum (Ze) wies 12, das Gewerbegebiet (Ge) 15, die Hochhaussiedlung (Ho) 17, die Einfamilienhaussiedlung (Eh) 18 und der Park (Pa) 28 Arten auf. Im Verlauf der Wintervogelkartierung wurden insgesamt 3763 Individuen in 30 Arten registriert. Im Pa wurde bei der Blaumeise der höchste Reproduktionserfolg mit knapp 5,9 Ausgeflogenen/Brut festgestellt. Anhand des Zustandes der Nestlinge und des Fortpflanzungserfolgs sowie durch die Dokumentation des Fütterungsverhaltens der Altvögel anhand von Camcorderaufnahmen wurde deutlich, dass das Nahrungsangebot für die Meisen im Pa am besten war. Der carnivore Turmfalke wurde 2002 bis 2004 unabhängig von den fünf Pf an zehn Nistkastenstandorten untersucht, die in drei unterschiedlichen Zonen lagen: City (Ci), Mischgebiet (Mi) und ländliche Zone (LZ). Als Besonderheit wurden in jedem Nistkasten in der Ci in jedem Jahr anthropogene Nahrungsreste, z. B. Kotelettknochen, gefunden, was zeigt, dass sich der Turmfalke, neben der Nutzung von Gebäuden als Nistplatz, auch hinsichtlich seiner Nahrungsökologie an den Menschen anpasst. Dass die Blaumeise, der Grünling und der Haussperling insgesamt in Berlin gut zurechtkommen, selbst in der Innenstadt, indiziert die Beutetierliste des Turmfalken: Der Haussperling stand an erster Stelle, der Grünling an zweiter und die Blaumeise an sechster Stelle der gefangenen Vogelarten. Besonders in einer Metropole wie Berlin besteht weiterer Forschungsbedarf, da die Synurbanisierung verschiedener Vogelarten ständig voranschreitet.From 2002 to 2004 the feeding ecology of different bird species was studied in Berlin. Thereby consequences like the success in reproduction were also examined. Beside the survey of the breeding bird (2002) and the winter bird community (2002/2003) in five study sites each covering an area of approx. 20 ha along an urban gradient, the species Blue Tit, Greenfinch, House Sparrow and Kestrel were researched in detail. In total, 35 breeding bird species were found in the five sites, which were characterised by different building structure, land use and vegetation cover. Considering the species` number, an urban gradient was clearly visible: In the city centre (Ze) 12 species were recorded, in the industrial area (Ge) 15, in the high-rise apartment building area (Ho) 17, in the detached family housing (Eh) 18 and in the park (Pa) 28 species. During the winter bird census a total of 3,763 individuals and 30 bird species was recorded. In the Pa, the highest reproduction success of the Blue Tit (5,9 fledglings/brood) was recorded. On the basis of the nestlings'' condition and the reproduction success, as well as by documentation of the feeding behaviour of the adult birds by means of video recording (camcorder), it became clear, that food supply was best in the Pa for the Tits. From 2002 to 2004, the carnivorous Kestrel was examined independent from the five study sites at ten nesting sites (nest boxes), which were located in three different zones: City (Ci), Mixed Zone (Mi) and Outskirts (LZ). Striking were anthropogenic food items, like cutlet bones, found in every nest box in the Ci in all three years, which shows the adaptation to humans not only with regard to nesting sites (buildings) but also with regard to feeding ecology. The prey species list of the Kestrel indicates that Blue Tit, Greenfinch and House Sparrow get along well all in all, also in the city centre: the House Sparrow ranked first, the Greenfinch second and the Blue Tit sixth of the captured bird species. Especially in a metropolis like Berlin there is need for further research, because the synurbization of different bird species progresses permanently.
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Villarroel, Morris Ricardo. "Copulatory behaviour and paternity in solitary- and colony-nesting kestrels." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1997. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk2/tape16/PQDD_0014/NQ30410.pdf.
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Dawson, Russell Douglas. "Causes and consequences of reproductive effort in American kestrels (Falco sparverius)." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1999. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk2/ftp02/NQ37881.pdf.
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