Preliminary Data on Diet of the Lesser Kestrel (Falco Naumanni Fleischer) in Aralık, Iğdır Province (Eastern Anatolia Region, Turkey)

Abstract

Studies on the feeding biology of Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) have limited in Turkey. The aim of this study was to contribute to the knowledge of its feeding ecology in arid areas. In this study, pellet compositions of Lesser Kestrel were examined. Compositions of 17 pellets of Falco naumanni were used in the study. 182 preys which belong to 8 different taxa were found in the diet composition. Insecta (f= 59.34%) and Arachnida (f= 37.36%) taxa were the main preys in the diet composition of Falco naumanni. Solpugidae (Arachnida) (f= 35.16%) had the high prey rate in the dietary composition. The significant ratio of members of Solpugidae was similar to the results of the other semi-arid and arid areas. © 2021, Gumushane University. All rights reserved.