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- Title
Habitat Preferences of Three Species of Diurnal Birds of Prey in Relation to their Potential Foraging Resources in the Balkan Mountains Range, Bulgaria.
- Authors
Djorgova, Nadejda; Ragyov, Dimitar; Popgeorgiev, Georgi; Biserkov, Valko; Biserkov, Yordan; Zlatanova, Diana; Nikolov, Boris P.
- Abstract
We assessed the prerequisites for foraging resources availability in connection with breeding habitat choice for the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), long-legged buzzard (Buteo rufinus) and peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) along the Balkan Mountains, by applying spatial distribution models of their main prey species. In the study area, the most probable foraging resources for the golden eagle were the rock partridge, the common quail and the European ground squirrel, for the long-legged buzzard - the common vole, and the peregrine falcon - the mistle thrush and the common wood pigeon. In most territories of the three birds of prey species, there were prerequisites for the presence of at least several prey species. Reptiles did not make a significant contribution as a food source for the golden eagle and long-legged buzzard. Spatial distribution models for assessing the preconditions for foraging resources availability in the breeding territories of birds of prey can be applied as indirect methods in a reliable alternative approach. Additionally, this allows the identification of possible contribution of certain prey species in the birds of prey food spectrum in a given area.
- Subjects
BALKAN Peninsula; BULGARIA; FALCONIFORMES; HABITAT selection; SPECIES; GOLDEN eagle; PEREGRINE falcon; EAGLES; BIRDS of prey
- Publication
Acta Zoologica Bulgarica, 2022, Vol 74, Issue 3, p385
- ISSN
0324-0770
- Publication type
Article