Abundance of raptors and habitat preferences of the common buzzard Buteo buteo and the common kestrel Falco tinnunculus during the non-breeding season in an agricultural landscape (western Slovakia)

Abstract

Habitat use and preferences by raptors were studied during three non-breeding seasons (2011-2013) in an agricultural landscape in western Slovakia. The non-breeding season on agricultural land showed high variation and changes in the cover of habitats related to human activities. The most abundant raptor species were the common buzzard Buteo buteo (L.) (152 individuals) and the common kestrel Falco tinnunculus (L.) (78 individuals). The common buzzard preferred alfalfa and avoided ploughed fields. The common kestrel showed a high habitat preference for alfalfa, corn fields, stubbles and fallow. It also avoided ploughed fields and wheat.