Study

Carcasses increase the probability of predation of ground-nesting birds: a caveat regarding the conservation value of vulture restaurants

  • Published source details Cortés-Avizanda A., Carrete M., Serrano D. & Donázar J.A. (2009) Carcasses increase the probability of predation of ground-nesting birds: a caveat regarding the conservation value of vulture restaurants. Animal Conservation, 12, 85-88.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Can supplementary feeding increase predation or parasitism?

Action Link
Bird Conservation
  1. Can supplementary feeding increase predation or parasitism?

    A replicated study in dry scrubland on Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, Spain, in spring 1996 Cortés-Avizanda et al. 2009), found that artificial nests were more likely to be predated when they were within 200 m of a carcase (both naturally-occurring and supplied to a vulture ‘restaurant’), compared to more distant nests. A total of 312 nests were laid in 12 lines. Nest predation occurred in 67% of lines, with a maximum of 92% of nests on a line being predated. The restaurant was supplied with approximately 200 kg/week of goat and pig carcasses whilst naturally occurring carcasses consisted of one goat and one yellow-legged gull Larus michaellis. Nests imitated either those of lesser short-toed larks Calandrella refescens or cream-coloured coursers Cursorius cursor and contained two Japanese quail Cortunix japonica eggs.

     

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