Diet diversity, individual heterozygosity and habitat heterogeneity influence health parameters in Eurasian Kestrels (Falco tinnunculus)

• DOI: 10.1111/ibi.13345
• Publication Date: 2024-07-18T04:40:24Z
• Authors: Lukas Hochleitner; Erkki Korpimäki; Nayden Chakarov; Caroline Isaksson; Carina Nebel; Swen C. Renner; Ville Vasko; Christian C. Voigt; Julien Terraube; Petra Sumasgutner
• Keywords: Kestrel; Buzzard

The loss of habitat heterogeneity due to agricultural intensification has led a global decline in farmland birds. Among them is the Eurasian Kestrel Falco tinnunculus , which occupies high trophic levels and may be adversely affected by reduced food quantity or quality consequent health impacts. In this study, we investigate effects heterogeneity, individual heterozygosity diet diversity on five different indices (integument coloration, dietary antioxidants, haematocrit, body condition parasite infection). study was conducted areas western Finland during year exceptionally low vole abundance. We found no obvious relationship between heterogeneity. An interaction females suggested that specialists were able maintain more intensely coloured integuments only if they had higher genetic diversity. addition, heterozygous less likely infected with Haemoproteus than lower Finally, specialist males generalist diet. Our results suggest variation foraging ecology should considered conjunction spatial understand sex‐specific kestrel health. These findings add better understanding mechanisms linking land‐use change common avian predator, can used as sentinel European agroecosystems.