Reintroduced Saker Falcons (Falco cherrug Gray, 1834) are dependent on European ground squirrels during the breeding period in Bulgaria

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorGeorgiev, Dilian
dc.contributor.authorPetrov, Rusko
dc.contributor.authorAndonova, Yana
dc.contributor.authorKlisurov, Ivaylo
dc.contributor.authorAngelov, Ivaylo
dc.contributor.authorStamenov, Anton
dc.contributor.authorGradinarov, Dimitar
dc.contributor.authorArkumarev, Volen
dc.date.accessioned2025-12-16T13:32:20Z
dc.date.available2025-12-16T13:32:20Z
dc.date.issued2025-12-11
dc.description.abstractThis study examines the diet of the reintroduced Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug) population in Bulgaria. By combining food-remain analysis, visual observations, and camera-trap monitoring, we documented 144 prey items taken by Saker Falcons during the 2020, 2024, and 2025 breeding seasons. The analysis revealed a pronounced dietary specialization: the European ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus) was the overwhelmingly dominant prey, representing 80.56% of all identified occurrences (N=144). Other rodent species accounted for 8.3% of the food items and birds represented 10.42% of the food items. The pronounced dependence on S. citellus underscores its essential role in the diet of the falcons. Consequently, conservation efforts should prioritize the protection and restoration of pasture systems, and the recovery of declining ground squirrel populations.
dc.identifier.issn1313-9940
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.uni-plovdiv.bg/handle/store/839
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherPlovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski"
dc.subjectreintroduction
dc.subjectbirds
dc.subjectdiet
dc.subjectground squirrel
dc.subjectpastures
dc.titleReintroduced Saker Falcons (Falco cherrug Gray, 1834) are dependent on European ground squirrels during the breeding period in Bulgaria
dc.typeArticle
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
eb20252160.pdf
Size:
291.37 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Download
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
license.txt
Size:
73 B
Format:
Item-specific license agreed to upon submission
Description:
Download
Collections
Ecologia Balkanica