Estimation of the Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni Fleischer, 1818) population and its feeding on insects and rodents.
2008
Khaleqi Zadeh, Abu Al-Qasem | Sehhati Sabet, Mohammad Ebrahim | Javid Kar, Mohammad
The Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni Fleischer, 1818 (Falconidae) is a migratory raptor. Using Point count method, the population of Lesser Kestrels was estimated 250 individuals in the surveyed areas of Tehran, Mazandaran and Golestan provinces in the spring of 2006-2007consisted of 12 in Niavaran, 14 around Latian Dam (Tehran), 3 in Miankaleh (Mazandaran), and in Golestan province 35 around Kalaleh, 70 in Gomishan, 50 in Bandar Turkmen and 18 in Khajeh Nafas. After nest-finding, a batch of 239 and 118 pellets were collected from a roost site around Latian Dam (Tehran Province) and Bandar Turkmen (Golestan Province) areas respectively. Each pellet was soaked in 95% alcohol and then teased apart using a pair of forceps and a needle. Animal remains were classified into some categories such as Orthoptera, Coleoptera, Formicidae, Aves and Rodentia. The frequency of each of these was calculated. Analysis of the pellets revealed that in Latian Orthoptera, Coleoptea and Formicidae were contained among 32%, 21% and 9% of pellets respectively while in Bandar Turkmen they were presented among 71%, 31% and 4% of pellets, respectively. Rodent remains were contained among 18.8% of the Latian pellets, primarily those of gerbils Meriones sp. (49%) was the most important item among total Rodentia remains followed by field mice Apodemus (21%), vole Microtus sp. (11%), Soricidae (9%), hamster Calomyscus sp. (4%), and grey hamster Cricetulus migratorius, mouse Mus sp. and Crocidura sp. (each 2%). Bandar Turkmen pellets included Bivalvia and Gastropoda (5%), Mammalia (4%), Aves (3%), Reptilia and Amphibia (3%), Chriroptera (1%) and Dermaptera (1%).
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