Dieta del cernícalo americano (Falco sparverius Linnaeus, 1758) en dos localidades del valle interandino del norte de Ecuador

Abstract

We present the diet of American Kestrel Falco sparverius, through pellets analysis, from two di?erent localities in the Ecuadorian north-interandean region. The most representative prey items from Sangolquí and Tababela were Coleoptera (48.4, and 39.5%), followed by Orthoptera (31.3 and 30.7%), respectively. In terms of biomass, mammals were the most important food resource in both sites, the invasive rodent Mus musculus was the most preferred prey; it would provide an appreciable predatory as pest control service. The Shannon index (H'= 1.894) indicates a median diversity of prey and, a diet amplitude of 0.26 suggests that the American Kestrel in our study sites is a specialist. Its diet di?ers from its relatives from other habitats where they present a generalist diet.