Predation of Lesser Naked-backed Bats ( Pteronotus davyi ) by a Pair of American Kestrels ( Falco sparverius ) on the Island of Marie-Galante, French West Indies (original) (raw)

Journal of Raptor Research, 2014

Abstract

ABSTRACT Here we report the predation on a colony of Lesser naked-backed bat (Pteronotus davyi) by a pair of American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) based on observations over a 16 day period. Kestrels preyed on bats in the evening as they were leaving their roost with two factors controlling hunting efficiency, namely: (1) meteorological conditions, and (2) the time of flock formation. The frequency of occurrence is 93.8% and the success rate is 16.4%. We estimate that bats provide 6.25% of the kestrel's daily food requirement. The case reported here is the first to describe the regular predation of a bat colony by the American Kestrel – a hunting behaviour that has never before been reported for this species This behaviour is interpreted as an example of the trophic adaptation of the American Kestrel to island environments typical of the Lesser Antilles.

Corentin Bochaton hasn't uploaded this paper.

Let Corentin know you want this paper to be uploaded.

Ask for this paper to be uploaded.