Diet of the lesser kestrel Falco naumanni at post-breeding roosts in southern Albania

Extensive polymorphism and geographical variation at a positively selected MHC class II B gene of the lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni).

Understanding the selective forces that shape genetic variation in natural populations remains a high priority in evolutionary biology. Genes at the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) have become excellent models for the investigation of adaptive variation and natural selection because of their crucial role in fighting off pathogens. Here we present one of the first data sets examining patt...

Factors affecting breeding dispersal in the facultatively colonial lesser kestrel: individual experience vs. conspecific cues

1. The role of individual experience vs. the use of conspecific cues on breeding dispersal decisions have seldom been determined in colonial birds. We studied causes of breeding dispersal in the lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni ), a species that breeds in colonies of variable size as well as solitarily. During a 6-year study in Spain, we gathered information on 486 subsequent breeding attempts an...

Characteristics of loci and individuals are associated with germline microsatellite mutation rates in lesser kestrels (Falco naumanni).

Although microsatellites are one of the most popular tools in genetic studies, their mutational dynamics and evolution remain unclear. Here, we apply extensive pedigree genotyping to identify and analyze the patterns and factors associated with de novo germline mutations across nine microsatellite loci in a wild population of lesser kestrels (Falco naumanni). A total of 10 germline mutations ev...

Winter predation by Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus on Pipistrelle Bats Pipistrellus pipistrellus in Southern Spain

Establishing a Lesser Kestrel Colony in an Urban Environment for Research Purposes

Raptors are top predators sensitive to changes and perturbations in the food chain, and as a consequence, they function as good bioindicators for environmental and ecosystem health. Captive breeding facilities have been created at research centers or universities to study biological traits of several raptor species (e.g., the American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) has been used as a wildlife study...